Pie That Brownie, Fruitcake! Updated Post #1832 - The End

[livinlife25]

ehh. Goblin doesn't like me at the moment, just trying to find a med that works. Instead of eating wonderful food, I'll just enviously relive your meals from WDW :thumbsup2

[oybolshoi]

ehh. Goblin doesn't like me at the moment, just trying to find a med that works. Instead of eating wonderful food, I'll just enviously relive your meals from WDW :thumbsup2

I'm really sorry to hear that ... I hope you find some relief soon. I guess the steroids weren't a very long-term fix, huh? :hug: I take pentasa ... 4 pills 4 times per day ... and that usually works well for me. Have you ever tried it? It's pricey ... one month supply is more than $600 but most insurance plans will cover it (I pay $50 per month co-pay on mine). Good luck!!

[livinlife25]

I'm really sorry to hear that ... I hope you find some relief soon. I guess the steroids weren't a very long-term fix, huh? :hug: I take pentasa ... 4 pills 4 times per day ... and that usually works well for me. Have you ever tried it? It's pricey ... one month supply is more than $600 but most insurance plans will cover it (I pay $50 per month co-pay on mine). Good luck!!

The steroids worked, got better, was off for about 4 months and then it came again. I tried Pentasa, but had horrible side effects and dr said she didnt't want me on it.. I currently have 2 huge bottles of the stuff going to waste! It will be interesting to see what the scope says bc last time it was mainly a "lower section" problem..

[praisehisname]

What a great meal! Cali Grill was on my ADR list for November, but we decided to do the Podcast Cruise instead of WDW. Oh well, maybe in 2011!

[oybolshoi]

The steroids worked, got better, was off for about 4 months and then it came again. I tried Pentasa, but had horrible side effects and dr said she didnt't want me on it.. I currently have 2 huge bottles of the stuff going to waste! It will be interesting to see what the scope says bc last time it was mainly a "lower section" problem..

Well, good luck. Wish there was something more I could do to help. Have you tried asacol at all? That was not effective for me but I've heard that for some people it works quite well ... don't have to take as many of those on a daily basis as with pentasa. Remicade is an option too, if you're really doing poorly but there are some pretty serious side effects with that one ... if it were me that would be a last choice, nothing-left-to-try option. I really hope you find some relief soon - it's no fun at all to have to deal with this stuff. :hug:

What a great meal! Cali Grill was on my ADR list for November, but we decided to do the Podcast Cruise instead of WDW. Oh well, maybe in 2011!

Thanks Denise! At least you know CA Grill will always be waiting for you! :thumbsup2

[BriarRosie]

What a great meal! Cali Grill was on my ADR list for November, but we decided to do the Podcast Cruise instead of WDW. Oh well, maybe in 2011!

I'm going on the Podcast cruise, yet I might still be able to do CA Grill before or after. :laughing:

[CampbellScot]

Okay so I'm trying to catch up your most recent frolic to the F&W festival. I'm enjoying this trip immensely by the way. I am currently reading about your Ditch Day at the Tequila Cave. There I was, innocently reading and looking at pictures when I got to the part about the Party Hat...

I did not know that laughing while eating trail mix would lead to a raisin coming OUT MY NOSE.:scared1::lmao::lmao::lmao:

My breathe, swallow, laugh sequence was disrupted by the Tequila soaked fun y'all were having and i snotted a raisin out my nose.

OUCH!

The worst of it being that I couldn't stop laughing at that point b/c a trip report had nearly caused me to choke for giggles.

THAT is some amazing writing/picture taking.

for serious.

I won't tell you what happened to the snotted raisin...unless you want to know.

it fell on the floor.

then my dog ate it.

and my nose is bleeding.

good times.

:rotfl2:

love it!:thumbsup2

[oybolshoi]

Oh Campbell ... I've missed you! :hug: :rotfl2:

And I hope you're recovered now! :goodvibes

Okay so I'm trying to catch up your most recent frolic to the F&W festival. I'm enjoying this trip immensely by the way. I am currently reading about your Ditch Day at the Tequila Cave. There I was, innocently reading and looking at pictures when I got to the part about the Party Hat...

I did not know that laughing while eating trail mix would lead to a raisin coming OUT MY NOSE.:scared1::lmao::lmao::lmao:

My breathe, swallow, laugh sequence was disrupted by the Tequila soaked fun y'all were having and i snotted a raisin out my nose.

OUCH!

The worst of it being that I couldn't stop laughing at that point b/c a trip report had nearly caused me to choke for giggles.

THAT is some amazing writing/picture taking.

for serious.

I won't tell you what happened to the snotted raisin...unless you want to know.

it fell on the floor.

then my dog ate it.

and my nose is bleeding.

good times.

:rotfl2:

love it!:thumbsup2

[jeminni]

Great review of CA Grill. That sushi looked delicious. Why is everyone reviewing sushi today, I am sooo hungry for it right now. But, there's always lunch tomorrow. ;)

Jason looked very James Bondish with his drink. Hopefully it was shaken, not stirred. :rotfl2:

And finally add me to the club that's happy you thought everyone was 40. :goodvibes

[CampbellScot]

Oh Campbell ... I've missed you! :hug: :rotfl2:

And I hope you're recovered now! :goodvibes

Yes thank you! I'm recovered sufficiently...nose stopped bleeding. My dog is following me around rather closely...like I might snot something else out my nose. A human vending machine for dogs if you will.

hopefully I will NEVER again deliver a treat to my dog by way of snotting it out my nose.

because that is called YUCK.::yes::

I had forgotten how dang funny y'all are!!! Those pictures of the birthday hat making its way around the table...:rotfl2: I can't WAIT to try the Tequila Cave. Seriously...the original "margarita" stand has truly disappointed me over the years. The margaritas taste of ice and alcohol...which I suppose gets the job done...but the proverbial "It tastes like burning" comes to mind every single time I indulge! ick.

Fabulous writing Bendy!!!! Loving it and can't wait to read the rest!!!

:goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Great review of CA Grill. That sushi looked delicious. Why is everyone reviewing sushi today, I am sooo hungry for it right now. But, there's always lunch tomorrow. ;)

Jason looked very James Bondish with his drink. Hopefully it was shaken, not stirred. :rotfl2:

And finally add me to the club that's happy you thought everyone was 40. :goodvibes

Thanks for reading Bridget - glad you enjoyed it! There has been a lot of sushi being posted all of a sudden .. and it's all looked wonderful!! YUM!

I don't know how his drink was made ... :laughing: ... he was a good hubby and ordered at the bar for us while we waited for our table! :goodvibes

Yes thank you! I'm recovered sufficiently...nose stopped bleeding. My dog is following me around rather closely...like I might snot something else out my nose. A human vending machine for dogs if you will.

hopefully I will NEVER again deliver a treat to my dog by way of snotting it out my nose.

because that is called YUCK.::yes::

I had forgotten how dang funny y'all are!!! Those pictures of the birthday hat making its way around the table...:rotfl2: I can't WAIT to try the Tequila Cave. Seriously...the original "margarita" stand has truly disappointed me over the years. The margaritas taste of ice and alcohol...which I suppose gets the job done...but the proverbial "It tastes like burning" comes to mind every single time I indulge! ick.

Fabulous writing Bendy!!!! Loving it and can't wait to read the rest!!!

:goodvibes

Thanks again Campbell ... I'm always happy when we're able to share a little laughter with our friendies here on the DIS. :goodvibes The Ditch is great - you will love it!! :thumbsup2

I have to warn you ... the writing gets kind of dull after the the Ditch ... I'm just trying to wrap things up at this point. Consider yourself duly warned. ;)

[SmallWorld71]

Great update, Brenda! I had been hoping to go to Cali Grill for the 1st time last month to celebrate the kids birthdays. But, alas, on the day we were due to go, DS11 got strep. He felt O.K. but wasn't eating, so we passed. I will get there someday!
Scallops is one of my favorite foods. :lovestruc I have them a lot when we go out to dinner locally. But, the thing that really interests me at CG is the appetizers. They all look so good.:thumbsup2

[dizneeat]

And again I am playing catch up! :rotfl2:

Great review of the Cali Grill! My favourite place to eat! ;)
Still have to talk Tom into trying more sushi there, :lmao: it's always SOOOOOOO hard to decide between the flatbreads and the sushi!

I had to :lmao: when you said that you love the pork tenderloin as we usually go to Cali Grill twice during a vacation so I can have the tenderloin and try something new! :rotfl:
The ostrich looks mouthwatering and I want those scallops right NOW!

Thanks for doing such great and fun reviews for us! :flower3: :hug:

[oybolshoi]

Great update, Brenda! I had been hoping to go to Cali Grill for the 1st time last month to celebrate the kids birthdays. But, alas, on the day we were due to go, DS11 got strep. He felt O.K. but wasn't eating, so we passed. I will get there someday!
Scallops is one of my favorite foods. :lovestruc I have them a lot when we go out to dinner locally. But, the thing that really interests me at CG is the appetizers. They all look so good.:thumbsup2

I'm sorry you weren't able to make it to CA Grill on your last trip - hopefully next time will work out better for you. :hug: We've always been pretty pleased with their appetizer selections - they have a nice variety that changes up pretty frequently. :thumbsup2

And again I am playing catch up! :rotfl2:

Great review of the Cali Grill! My favourite place to eat! ;)
Still have to talk Tom into trying more sushi there, :lmao: it's always SOOOOOOO hard to decide between the flatbreads and the sushi!

I had to :lmao: when you said that you love the pork tenderloin as we usually go to Cali Grill twice during a vacation so I can have the tenderloin and try something new! :rotfl:
The ostrich looks mouthwatering and I want those scallops right NOW!

Thanks for doing such great and fun reviews for us! :flower3: :hug:

Thanks for taking the time to read Karin - of course you're trying to catch up when you're reading my silliness and trying to write your own reviews too!

I love their polenta with that pork tenderloin but I'm really glad I ordered all new things on this visit - everything was really tasty this time around!

[2xcited2sleep]

Ah, the french martini. I fell in love with it too. :cloud9: So glad you had a good evening at CG. Everything looks quite delish!

[oybolshoi]

Ah, the french martini. I fell in love with it too. :cloud9: So glad you had a good evening at CG. Everything looks quite delish!

One of my favorite drinks to order at the World! :thumbsup2 And we did have a great evening there - fabulous food and darn good service too ... I'm glad that happened while X&Y were with us. :goodvibes

[TigerKat]

One of my favorite drinks to order at the World! :thumbsup2 And we did have a great evening there - fabulous food and darn good service too ... I'm glad that happened while X&Y were with us. :goodvibes

So glad you turned me on to that baby!;) I've ordered them a few places but CG's was far better than the rest.:thumbsup2

[dgthree]

Well, the frozen margarita that I had ... the swirly one ... was pretty good. I'd order that again.

That's the margarita/sangria combo. Mangled Margarita sounds about right, and yeah, they were pretty good. I didn't try any of the real food at Paradiso, but some of the apps were tasty - the crazy corn app and the steak skewers were outstanding. Skip the sopapillas though - ick.

[DisneyMom5]

You're dinner at Cal. G looks very yummy. It's the one place (along with V&A) that I'm really tempted to try, but only with dh and no kiddoes. I'm hungry for good scallops now.

[AshClan]

Bendy,

Add mine to the list of mixed reviews on Cali. Loved it the first year, thought it was just "eh" the next two times, then last fall it was GREAT! So I guess you never know....

I do think they make the best Lemon Drops on property and I LOVE their flatbreads. That cheese/pesto/sundried tomato one is my fave! I have not yet taken the sushi leap (other than california rolls), but I know theirs is top notch from my friends who do enjoy such things. Oh, and my crew and I did hit the CG lounge one night (LATE, just as the kitchen was closing) and had drinks and flatbreads and wonderful, entertaining service. It was lovely! I agree that fireworks from there (and the crowd that goes with 'em) are not the best. I'd much rather be on Main Street.

I am happy to see some alternatives to the Filet and the Pork Tenderloin. I may have to try those scallops next time. They look fabulous!:thumbsup2

Have just booked a lil birthday weekend for myself & the hubby in October. I think we'll be there later than you, though (10/14-17). I now have a renewed interest in the F&W offerings, so I may have to reread this sucker!!;)

As always, thanks for the entertainment :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

So glad you turned me on to that baby!;) I've ordered them a few places but CG's was far better than the rest.:thumbsup2

Glad you liked it - one of the best drinks evah! :thumbsup2

That's the margarita/sangria combo. Mangled Margarita sounds about right, and yeah, they were pretty good. I didn't try any of the real food at Paradiso, but some of the apps were tasty - the crazy corn app and the steak skewers were outstanding. Skip the sopapillas though - ick.

Thank you ... I wasn't sure if Mangled Margarita was the right name after all this time. The appetizers do sound kind of good ... maybe we will find time to give some a try this fall.

You're dinner at Cal. G looks very yummy. It's the one place (along with V&A) that I'm really tempted to try, but only with dh and no kiddoes. I'm hungry for good scallops now.

Those scallops were terrific - I hope you get a chance to try CA Grill some day ... you would like it! Thanks for taking the time to take a read ... I know you've been busier than usual lately. Hope your mom is doing better. :hug:


Bendy,

Add mine to the list of mixed reviews on Cali. Loved it the first year, thought it was just "eh" the next two times, then last fall it was GREAT! So I guess you never know....

I do think they make the best Lemon Drops on property and I LOVE their flatbreads. That cheese/pesto/sundried tomato one is my fave! I have not yet taken the sushi leap (other than california rolls), but I know theirs is top notch from my friends who do enjoy such things. Oh, and my crew and I did hit the CG lounge one night (LATE, just as the kitchen was closing) and had drinks and flatbreads and wonderful, entertaining service. It was lovely! I agree that fireworks from there (and the crowd that goes with 'em) are not the best. I'd much rather be on Main Street.

I am happy to see some alternatives to the Filet and the Pork Tenderloin. I may have to try those scallops next time. They look fabulous!:thumbsup2

Have just booked a lil birthday weekend for myself & the hubby in October. I think we'll be there later than you, though (10/14-17). I now have a renewed interest in the F&W offerings, so I may have to reread this sucker!!;)

As always, thanks for the entertainment :goodvibes

Hi there! Your late night at CA Grill sounds like a lot of fun ... I think we would have enjoyed it. And I do love their flatbreads ... that cheesie tomato pesto one was fabulous!

Congrats on the birthday trip! We will miss you ... we leave on the 14th this year. And you don't have to read the whole thing ... the links are all on the first page of this thread - I hope they help!! :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Friday, October 23rd - Breakfast with Friends Followed by F&W Snacking with Friends ... Does Life Get Any Better???

We started out the day with a breakfast meet with some DIS Cruise-friends ... they came from Saratoga Springs and the Animal Kingdom Lodge to have breakfast with Jay and me at Cape May Cafe. They were all leaving the next morning on a Disney cruise to the Eastern Caribbean where many cool, refreshing Guavaberry coladas awaited them.

These friendies are some of the most wonderful DIS-peoples we've had the pleasure to meet and it's a rare treat when we're all in the same place at the same time. So although the breakfast buffet at Cape May is nothing to get excited about ... it is what it is ... the fun of seeing everyone again and spending time with them all more than made it worthwhile!

Bendy's breakfast, part I
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/526.jpg

Bendy's breakfast, part II
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/527.jpg

I had made a notation on the reservation that there was a birthday (not for me!) but when our server asked who was celebrating what she found out about mine, too. The end result being that a couple of these fun Halloween cupcakes made it to the table as a celebratory offering. YUM - SUGAR!!!

Tasty treat!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/528.jpg

Although Minnie and Chip and Dale are also at this character breakfast, Goofy was the only one who kept showing up at our table. I told him I had a crush on him and showed him pictures of my birthday cake ... he loved the cake!!

Poor Jay ... pushed out of the picture by a giant dog
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/523.jpg

Our fabulous group!!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/522.jpg

Our fabulous group with Goofy!!!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/BOBCruise3481.jpg

And look at this: our friends from England brought Jay and me the most incredible, tasty, delicious assortment of cookies we've ever had. I'm surprised these lasted as long as they did ... two whole weeks! They were unbelievable!!

Worth every calorie!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/535.jpg

Eventually we all had to part company and Jay and I made our way back to Epcot for one last round of F&W booth snackeroo. It was tough today because it was suddenly very very hot ... the way Florida is supposed to be ... and we have a tough time eating or drinking much when it's too warm. But we gave it our best try since we were leaving for Stinktown early the next morning.

First stop: Morocco where I wanted to try their Tangerine Mimosa Royale. This was really good ... some kind of tangerine liqueur, orange juice, and champagne. We both really liked it!

Mimosa ... yum!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/534.jpg

Awww, it's all gone
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/536.jpg

Then we ended up back at the Brewer's Collection for another naughty sausage and a new beer ... which we no longer recall. Over the course of the festival we tried three beers here - Aflegem Blonde Ale, Kona Ale, and one other I can't remember. They were all good, if that helps at all! :laughing:

Beer & Sausage ... we like it!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/538.jpg

Eventually we ended up in India where Jason ordered a rice & lentil crepe with potato and onion filling and some gulab juman with rose syrup and pistachio. I didn't try the crepe at all but Jay said it was very good. And while I did try the gulab juman, which were really just little donut holes, I didn't like them because they were swimming in rose syrup. Not only do I not like soggy donuts, but I especially don't like eating soggy donuts that have taken a perfume bath.

Rice & Lentil Crepe
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/539.jpg

Gulab Juman
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/540.jpg

We stopped once more in Mexico where it took something like five hours for the couple in front of us to decide whether or not they wanted a beer with their food purchase. How hard is it? You either order a Dos Equis or you don't order a beer. Heat makes me short-tempered ... apparently it made these people incredibly dense. Finally, when they were done debating, Jay and I were able to order the Mousse de Pina Colada y Coco.

Pina Colada Mousse
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/541.jpg

This was pretty tasty once I managed to work around the coconut!

We next visited Argentina where we ordered a Beef Empanada w/Tomato Salsa and a Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri and Boniato Puree. Both of these were quite tasty - probably would have been better on a cooler day, but what can you do? And because they were out of potato mash we were given an extra beef skewer ... that's not such a bad deal!

Empanada and Beef Skewers
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/543.jpg

Final stop of the trip ... the Dessert and Champagne booth where between the four of us we ordered the whole darn thing! Austrian Bundt Cake, Grand Marnier Parfait with Orange Coulis, and Strawberry Shortcake. Jay and I shared a glass of Nectar Imperial and I believe Chelsi & Jason had some rose.

Now that's dessert!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/544.jpg

They get cuter every time we see them!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/545.jpg

All in all we really thought Epcot hit a home-run this year with their food and wine offerings - nearly everything we tried during our trip was well prepared and tasty. We especially liked the efforts that were made to offer up some new selections along with some of the tried and true favorites. Nice job, food and wine planners; this is the happiest we've been with the festival since 2006. :thumbsup2

Stay tuned for one last review ... a final dinner with our dear friends Chelsi & Jason before we climbed aboard the Stinktown express.

[kabuki]

That was a HOT day! I can tell since I always turn a nice color of RED! :rotfl2:
Sledge pulls off the look even in the heat!:lmao:

My favorite is Jay behind Goofy! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Wish we were there now! 6 :cloud9:MONTHS!

[oybolshoi]

I remember sweating through my clothes that day ... it was so hot. And people were getting cranky ... it was crowded but they weren't nice crowds like we saw on the 17th and 18th when everyone was in a good mood.

Six more months ... we can't wait to see you again!! :hug:

That was a HOT day! I can tell since I always turn a nice color of RED! :rotfl2:
Sledge pulls off the look even in the heat!:lmao:

My favorite is Jay behind Goofy! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Wish we were there now! 6 :cloud9:MONTHS!

[Briarmom]

I can't believe it's almost over.:guilty: I wish I could go to F&W this year instead of more school.:headache:

Yes thank you! I'm recovered sufficiently...nose stopped bleeding. My dog is following me around rather closely...like I might snot something else out my nose. A human vending machine for dogs if you will.

hopefully I will NEVER again deliver a treat to my dog by way of snotting it out my nose.

because that is called YUCK.::yes::

I had forgotten how dang funny y'all are!!! Those pictures of the birthday hat making its way around the table...:rotfl2: I can't WAIT to try the Tequila Cave. Seriously...the original "margarita" stand has truly disappointed me over the years. The margaritas taste of ice and alcohol...which I suppose gets the job done...but the proverbial "It tastes like burning" comes to mind every single time I indulge! ick.

Fabulous writing Bendy!!!! Loving it and can't wait to read the rest!!!

:goodvibes

First of all Miss Cammie, I am pointing and laughing at you.:lmao: That is the funniest and strangest thing I have read in a long time.

Secondly, I *did* get a margarita at the margarita stand this year (Reason: The Ditch does not open until NOON!!! :mad:) anyway, it was awful. Like, I threw it in the garbage awful. I don't waste booze, so you know that's bad.:sad2:

[whogirl'smom]

What a fun breakfast and great group pic with Goofy! Nothing like the heat to test our tasting abilities! Supposed to be high 70's to 80 at the end of next week! :banana: I might actually not have Rosanne Rosannadanna hair for a change....

[ChelleinNC]

I can't believe it's almost over :sad1:

[oybolshoi]

I can't believe it's almost over.:guilty: I wish I could go to F&W this year instead of more school.:headache:



First of all Miss Cammie, I am pointing and laughing at you.:lmao: That is the funniest and strangest thing I have read in a long time.

Secondly, I *did* get a margarita at the margarita stand this year (Reason: The Ditch does not open until NOON!!! :mad:) anyway, it was awful. Like, I threw it in the garbage awful. I don't waste booze, so you know that's bad.:sad2:

I wish you could come to F&W too ... we would all have so much fun together. And as for the frozen margarita ... bleh ... sorry to hear it was so nasty. :hug:

What a fun breakfast and great group pic with Goofy! Nothing like the heat to test our tasting abilities! Supposed to be high 70's to 80 at the end of next week! :banana: I might actually not have Rosanne Rosannadanna hair for a change....

We had a lot of fun that morning - it was great to see everyone again! And I forgot you're leaving for WDW next week ... you will have a great time!! :thumbsup2

I can't believe it's almost over :sad1:

You're sweet, Chelle. I have a feeling most people around here have been wishing I'd wrap this up for months. :rotfl2:

[MA pigletfan]

i cannot believe how much snacking we missed when we were there..granted it was the tail end of the honeymoon, and i was battling a travelers cold BIG TIME..but still....however, we did manage to eat that censor-worthy sausage ;)
I am so sad this is almost done..THANKFULLY we have your Vegas shenanigans to look forward to on the bendy thread :)

[cntkg1]

Friday, October 23rd - Breakfast with Friends Followed by F&W Snacking with Friends ... Does Life Get Any Better???

We started out the day with a breakfast meet with some DIS Cruise-friends ... they came from Saratoga Springs and the Animal Kingdom Lodge to have breakfast with Jay and me at Cape May Cafe. They were all leaving the next morning on a Disney cruise to the Eastern Caribbean where many cool, refreshing Guavaberry coladas awaited them.

These friendies are some of the most wonderful DIS-peoples we've had the pleasure to meet and it's a rare treat when we're all in the same place at the same time. So although the breakfast buffet at Cape May is nothing to get excited about ... it is what it is ... the fun of seeing everyone again and spending time with them all more than made it worthwhile!

Awwwww, Bendy, thanks but we feel the same way about you guys. :grouphug:

I thought our breakfast was pretty darn good until about a week later when I came home with Mr Swine Flu. :scared1: I'm as convinced as you are that I picked it up at that buffet somehow.

I do have to say though that those potatoes they served where da bomb! They were so good that I think I lost consciousness for awhile.:goodvibes



Our fabulous group with Goofy!!!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/BOBCruise3481.jpg

Nice shot except looks like Stacy needs to find the little girls room. :rotfl2:


All in all we really thought Epcot hit a home-run this year with their food and wine offerings - nearly everything we tried during our trip was well prepared and tasty. We especially liked the efforts that were made to offer up some new selections along with some of the tried and true favorites. Nice job, food and wine planners; this is the happiest we've been with the festival since 2006. :thumbsup2



I've never been to the F&W Festival but just reading your trippie makes me wish EPCOT would have saved room for more countries for us to tour through on a regular basis. Hey, what's 11 more when you've already done 11 and you're Disney? :goodvibes

[wishspirit]

I can't believe it's almost over :sad1:

I know! This has been my 'must read' dining thread for weeks now! I don't want it to end! :sad2:

You're sweet, Chelle. I have a feeling most people around here have been wishing I'd wrap this up for months. :rotfl2:

:eek: No way! It's been the highlight of many a day for me!


[B]And look at this: our friends from England brought Jay and me the most incredible, tasty, delicious assortment of cookies we've ever had. I'm surprised these lasted as long as they did ... two whole weeks! They were unbelievable!!

[I]Worth every calorie!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/535.jpg
.

Marks and Spencer's are well known for their amazing chocolate biscuit selections. We always have them around Christmas! :goodvibes

[CampbellScot]

double post sorry!

[CampbellScot]

Oh MissBendy...the picture of Jay lurking behind Goofy had me laughing in a most unladylike, snort inducing way! This time I made sure I was not eating ANYTHING whilst reading your chapter...so there was nothing coming out my nose aside from carbon dioxide! :cool1:

I have a very similar adoration for my beloved Donald Duck. So much so that every time we are at disney my step daughter feels it necessary to remind me that I am "married with Daddy..."so that I won't feel the need ditch him and run off with Donald.

:rolleyes:

like i would even DO that...he's a duck...and he's currently involved with Daisy.

I mean REALLY. I'm not a home wrecker!:rolleyes1

*ahem*

Aren't last days the biggest bummer? Maybe it's good that it was super hot that day...made it a bit easier to head back to cooler temps...maybe. ;)

I can't believe it's almost over.:guilty: I wish I could go to F&W this year instead of more school.:headache:

First of all Miss Cammie, I am pointing and laughing at you.:lmao: That is the funniest and strangest thing I have read in a long time.

Secondly, I *did* get a margarita at the margarita stand this year (Reason: The Ditch does not open until NOON!!! :mad:) anyway, it was awful. Like, I threw it in the garbage awful. I don't waste booze, so you know that's bad.:sad2:

Yeah...the raisin out the nose thing was quite possibly the grossest/weirdest/oddly hilarious accident I've had in a long time! :lmao::lmao: I'm SUPER classy that way. :thumbsup2 Only Bendy can cause such violent hilarious responses to her food and wine trippies!!!

I also bemoaned the fact that I was wasting money/booze last year with that awful so called margarita. SO GROSS! Although the more I drank, the less I could taste anything...I couldn't feel my face either. They certainly don't skimp on the tequila! It takes very little for me to get to that state...so really I hadn't had much at all before MY Jason took it from me and chucked it.

this year I can get good and quality buzzed on Ditch Tequila...it makes for a much happier and relaxed step mothering experience.

KIDDING!!!!!

sort of.

;)

Okay Bendy...bring it on home girl!!!! Can't wait to read the rest...even though I'm sad it's over...please feel free to write an epilogue...and several post scripts...:goodvibes

[TigerKat]

Another here who really hates to see it end!

[D&R love Disney]

Just read three days worth of reviews and want to go back!!!!! Everything looks great and bummer on the review of Paridiso, I hoped it was going to be a good place to go for food and to hang out.

I think we need a campaign to fix the menu at ESPN, I remember when it was a good place to eat.

I can't believe the weather, it was real hot to begin with and then got so cold. We left before it warmed back up.

[oybolshoi]

i cannot believe how much snacking we missed when we were there..granted it was the tail end of the honeymoon, and i was battling a travelers cold BIG TIME..but still....however, we did manage to eat that censor-worthy sausage ;)
I am so sad this is almost done..THANKFULLY we have your Vegas shenanigans to look forward to on the bendy thread

Hi Gina! It's easy to miss a lot of the snacking, even if you're well prepared in advance. And you guys had so much that you'd done even before getting to WDW ... I think even Jay and I might have been on food fatigue at that point! And now that I think about it ... there were an awful lot of naughty sausages this year! :rotfl2:

And with all the stuff we have planned for Vegas ... you guys will be looking at food porn all summer! :laughing:

Awwwww, Bendy, thanks but we feel the same way about you guys. :grouphug:

I thought our breakfast was pretty darn good until about a week later when I came home with Mr Swine Flu. I'm as convinced as you are that I picked it up at that buffet somehow.

I do have to say though that those potatoes they served where da bomb! They were so good that I think I lost consciousness for awhile.:goodvibes

I brought the sickies home from WDW this year, too, Goose. There was a lot of crap going around this fall ... a lot of people got sick this year. :sad1:

Thanks again for coming to meet us for breakfast - it was such a treat! :hug:


Nice shot except looks like Stacy needs to find the little girls room. :rotfl2:

I've never been to the F&W Festival but just reading your trippie makes me wish EPCOT would have saved room for more countries for us to tour through on a regular basis. Hey, what's 11 more when you've already done 11 and you're Disney?

I love that picture ... I think you sent it to me! :rotfl2: As for F&W ... maybe you need to forgo a cruise one fall and try the Festival Jay & Bendy style!

I know! This has been my 'must read' dining thread for weeks now! I don't want it to end! :sad2:

:eek: No way! It's been the highlight of many a day for me!

Marks and Spencer's are well known for their amazing chocolate biscuit selections. We always have them around Christmas! :goodvibes

Thanks very much for the kind words ... I'm so glad you've enjoyed our reviews. And those cookies ... or biscuits ... were incredible! :thumbsup2

Oh MissBendy...the picture of Jay lurking behind Goofy had me laughing in a most unladylike, snort inducing way! This time I made sure I was not eating ANYTHING whilst reading your chapter...so there was nothing coming out my nose aside from carbon dioxide! :cool1:

I have a very similar adoration for my beloved Donald Duck. So much so that every time we are at disney my step daughter feels it necessary to remind me that I am "married with Daddy..."so that I won't feel the need ditch him and run off with Donald.

:rolleyes:

like i would even DO that...he's a duck...and he's currently involved with Daisy.

I mean REALLY. I'm not a home wrecker!:rolleyes1

*ahem*

Aren't last days the biggest bummer? Maybe it's good that it was super hot that day...made it a bit easier to head back to cooler temps...maybe. ;)

Yeah...the raisin out the nose thing was quite possibly the grossest/weirdest/oddly hilarious accident I've had in a long time! :lmao::lmao: I'm SUPER classy that way. :thumbsup2 Only Bendy can cause such violent hilarious responses to her food and wine trippies!!!

I also bemoaned the fact that I was wasting money/booze last year with that awful so called margarita. SO GROSS! Although the more I drank, the less I could taste anything...I couldn't feel my face either. They certainly don't skimp on the tequila! It takes very little for me to get to that state...so really I hadn't had much at all before MY Jason took it from me and chucked it.

this year I can get good and quality buzzed on Ditch Tequila...it makes for a much happier and relaxed step mothering experience.

KIDDING!!!!!

sort of.

;)

Okay Bendy...bring it on home girl!!!! Can't wait to read the rest...even though I'm sad it's over...please feel free to write an epilogue...and several post scripts...:goodvibes

Poor Jay ... it's the only time he doesn't get to be the star of the picture - when Goofy's in the room! :laughing:

I will try to wrap this up appropriately Miss Cammie so that you can have at least one more good snort-laugh, OK? ;)


Another here who really hates to see it end!

There's always Vegas to look forward to. ;) And there a lot of other reviews here on the DIS.

Just read three days worth of reviews and want to go back!!!!! Everything looks great and bummer on the review of Paridiso, I hoped it was going to be a good place to go for food and to hang out.

I think we need a campaign to fix the menu at ESPN, I remember when it was a good place to eat.

I can't believe the weather, it was real hot to begin with and then got so cold. We left before it warmed back up.

Well, to be fair about Paradiso we didn't really have any food so I wouldn't totally discount it. My sister-in-law and her family ate there in January and they thought it was really good.

And the weather in October this year was weird for sure ... but we loved those couple of days with the temperatures in the 80s - it was glorious!

[cntkg1]

Thanks again for coming to meet us for breakfast - it was such a treat! :hug:

The treat was all ours. :hug:


I love that picture ... I think you sent it to me! :rotfl2: As for F&W ... maybe you need to forgo a cruise one fall and try the Festival Jay & Bendy style!

Yup, that was my picture. :goodvibes

And ... I would love doing the F&W one year, but the heat and food would freak out my colon and make for an agonizing vacation for me. This girl has to stick with the cruises where I'm much more comfortable.:rolleyes:



And those cookies ... or biscuits ... were incredible! :thumbsup2

We also got a sample of those amazing sweets from afeg and Mrs afeg and you're absolutely right. They were incredible! :thumbsup2

[WDW Fan]

Finally got all caught up Brenda. Your meal at the CG looked fabulous, and I was so glad to see it since our last meal there was just mediocre at best. I'll have to give it a try again on an upcoming trip.:thumbsup2 So glad that you enjoyed the F&W Festival so much this year. Your pictures sure looked appetizing and I loved your little reviews of each stop.:) I'm so sad that your report is coming to an end soon but I'm so glad to hear that you're going back in October. I hope that means we'll get to read another dining review of that trip. I'd hate to go a year without some Bendy amusement.:banana:

[oybolshoi]

The treat was all ours. :hug:

Yup, that was my picture. :goodvibes

And ... I would love doing the F&W one year, but the heat and food would freak out my colon and make for an agonizing vacation for me. This girl has to stick with the cruises where I'm much more comfortable.:rolleyes:


We also got a sample of those amazing sweets from afeg and Mrs afeg and you're absolutely right. They were incredible! :thumbsup2

I'm sorry you and F&W wouldn't agree ... it's really a lot of fun. There are smoothies available if that helps ... :rolleyes1

I would seriously considering selling what's left of my soul for more of those cookies ... and I'm not usually a big cookie eater - not my sweet of choice - but those were eye-poppingly, toe-curlingly tasty! I'm running out of appropriate adjectives. :lmao:

Finally got all caught up Brenda. Your meal at the CG looked fabulous, and I was so glad to see it since our last meal there was just mediocre at best. I'll have to give it a try again on an upcoming trip.:thumbsup2 So glad that you enjoyed the F&W Festival so much this year. Your pictures sure looked appetizing and I loved your little reviews of each stop.:) I'm so sad that your report is coming to an end soon but I'm so glad to hear that you're going back in October. I hope that means we'll get to read another dining review of that trip. I'd hate to go a year without some Bendy amusement.:banana:

Hi Linda! Thanks for reading - glad you've enjoyed everything. We were so pleased with CA Grill this time around, just couldn't have been happier. I hope that is your experience too, the next time you decide to give it a try again.

And thanks very much for the kind words about our reviews. I guess I should start laying the groundwork now ... this will likely be the last set. While we are going back in October Jay and I are not planning on reviewing much, if anything, this time around. That's not to say we might not do a write-up of a new F&W event or dining experience (if we have one) but I won't be doing another report like this one or the others I've done in the past ... at least not for WDW.

[TDC Nala]

all these Vegas references...how long is it now? Bobby and Wolfie still don't have their menus up...

[oybolshoi]

all these Vegas references...how long is it now? Bobby and Wolfie still don't have their menus up...

Five weeks ... exactly! Not that we're counting or anything! :rotfl2:

I am seriously annoyed that the menus aren't posted yet ... I check multiple times at work just because I can. :laughing:

[TDC Nala]

me too. I check on the public dime. Hey at least Bradley came through for you with that awesome menu and we're not getting just Fiji water anymore.

[oybolshoi]

me too. I check on the public dime. Hey at least Bradley came through for you with that awesome menu and we're not getting just Fiji water anymore.

That's true .. he's got a great menu planned and I think they are serving Quintessa wines. I don't know much about them but the little I've read looks promising.

We are scheduled to be on the ground in Vegas by about 8:30 that morning ... we booked the earliest flight we could. :thumbsup2

[TDC Nala]

I land at 10:02...I have a little further to fly.

Always cool to see Festival food porn here. I have a second weekend booked in Orlando for 2010 now.

[cbg1027]

Only 1 more review? :sad1: When do you guys go back to Disney? I'm going to need a way to get my Bendy food porn fix!

[oybolshoi]

Only 1 more review? :sad1: When do you guys go back to Disney? I'm going to need a way to get my Bendy food porn fix!

You're very sweet. :goodvibes The bluezoo review will certainly wrap this up with a bang ... we had a veritable appetizer and alcohol beverage feast that night in the bar!

We go back in October again but don't look for any reviews ... this will likely be the final chapter in our WDW dining adventures. It had to happen sooner or later. :laughing:

[WDW Fan]

:sad::sad::sad: I will certainly miss reading your WDW dining reviews in the future Brenda but I do understand how time consuming it must be. Thanks for the great entertainment you've provided over the past few years.:thumbsup2

[CampbellScot]

You're very sweet. :goodvibes The bluezoo review will certainly wrap this up with a bang ... we had a veritable appetizer and alcohol beverage feast that night in the bar!

We go back in October again but don't look for any reviews ... this will likely be the final chapter in our WDW dining adventures. It had to happen sooner or later. :laughing:

are y'all just done with going to Disney World or just done with the reviews? I suppose reviewing the same or similar things over and over can get tedious! I hope y'all aren't done forever with Disney though!!! :scared1: I know how time consuming trip reports/food porn can be. They take A LOT of time...and if you are a perfectionist Type A writer, like myself... the checking and rechecking and re-reading and looking for mistakes...well the time commitment can be enormous!

but don't be done with Disney. That would be illegal! ;)

[goldielocksraj]

Awww, it's all gone
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/536.jpg



Hmmm, looks like Jason got one of the glasses I always seem to get . . . with holes in the bottom :confused3. Dunno how that happens. I'm glad that someone else recognizes this phenomenon . . . when I try to explain it to service personel (in refund attempts), no one has ever heard of this!!! :scared1:

[oybolshoi]

:sad::sad::sad: I will certainly miss reading your WDW dining reviews in the future Brenda but I do understand how time consuming it must be. Thanks for the great entertainment you've provided over the past few years.:thumbsup2

Thanks Linda. It's been a lot of fun but to post these the way I want to just takes too much time and I think it's just best for me to stop while I'm not totally sick of it. :laughing:


are y'all just done with going to Disney World or just done with the reviews? I suppose reviewing the same or similar things over and over can get tedious! I hope y'all aren't done forever with Disney though!!! :scared1: I know how time consuming trip reports/food porn can be. They take A LOT of time...and if you are a perfectionist Type A writer, like myself... the checking and rechecking and re-reading and looking for mistakes...well the time commitment can be enormous!

but don't be done with Disney. That would be illegal! ;)

No, we're not finished with Disney; just with Disney reviews. Been there, done that ... nothing to see here ... please keep moving. :rotfl2: And yes, it does take too much time, which I don't really have. But thanks for reading and for being so much fun to have around! :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Hmmm, looks like Jason got one of the glasses I always seem to get . . . with holes in the bottom :confused3. Dunno how that happens. I'm glad that someone else recognizes this phenomenon . . . when I try to explain it to service personel (in refund attempts), no one has ever heard of this!!! :scared1:

:rotfl2::rotfl2: It never works for us, either!

[CampbellScot]

No, we're not finished with Disney; just with Disney reviews. Been there, done that ... nothing to see here ... please keep moving. :rotfl2: And yes, it does take too much time, which I don't really have. But thanks for reading and for being so much fun to have around! :goodvibes

Oh good, so long as you still are Disney bound...I'm telling you Bendy, I am determined to get MY Jason to a F&W event. We will just have to bump into each other one of these days!YeeHAW(that's Texan for "Good-Times-Boy- Howdy" !!!!)

;)

[Redwitch]

Sad to hear this will be your last review, but I understand the time involved is a bit of schedule juggle. (Let alone the nagging by individuals like me to keep at it!)

BTW - I just checked out your Hash House A-Go-Go review on your blog. This was one of dining spots in Vegas last October. Food was great, but we should have shared - way too much. We actually brought home the biscuits and ate them back here. I can only imagine how they would have been fresh, because they weren't bad a couple of days old. The funniest was the cappuccino drink my daughter had - the cup was as big as her head. Honest! We ate at the one on Sahara, when did they open on the strip?

[oybolshoi]

Oh good, so long as you still are Disney bound...I'm telling you Bendy, I am determined to get MY Jason to a F&W event. We will just have to bump into each other one of these days!YeeHAW(that's Texan for "Good-Times-Boy- Howdy" !!!!)

;)

You just need to keep me posted ... you can usually count on our being there sometime in October and it would be good to meetcha! :goodvibes

Sad to hear this will be your last review, but I understand the time involved is a bit of schedule juggle. (Let alone the nagging by individuals like me to keep at it!)

BTW - I just checked out your Hash House A-Go-Go review on your blog. This was one of dining spots in Vegas last October. Food was great, but we should have shared - way too much. We actually brought home the biscuits and ate them back here. I can only imagine how they would have been fresh, because they weren't bad a couple of days old. The funniest was the cappuccino drink my daughter had - the cup was as big as her head. Honest! We ate at the one on Sahara, when did they open on the strip?

You're very kind and I don't normally mind the "nags" from you or anyone else. It's just that for me to post reviews the way I want (thoroughly and hopefully entertaining) it takes a lot of time and pair that with the colossal amount of stuff we cram into a F&W trip ... and you have a trippie that lasts too long according to the new guidelines and really eats (haha) too much of my free time outside of work. So we'll end it on a high note with this set of reviews and move on to bigger and better meals elsewhere!

The Hash House on the strip just recently opened ... we have relatives in Vegas who told us about it. Hopefully we'll get a chance to stop in and order a king-size breakfast next month!

EDITED: I should finish this up this week ... just have Bluezoo and some final comment to make. Thanks again for reading!

[Redwitch]

You're very kind and I don't normally mind the "nags" from you or anyone else. It's just that for me to post reviews the way I want (thoroughly and hopefully entertaining) it takes a lot of time and pair that with the colossal amount of stuff we cram into a F&W trip ... and you have a trippie that lasts too long according to the new guidelines and really eats (haha) too much of my free time outside of work. So we'll end it on a high note with this set of reviews and move on to bigger and better meals elsewhere!

The Hash House on the strip just recently opened ... we have relatives in Vegas who told us about it. Hopefully we'll get a chance to stop in and order a king-size breakfast next month!

EDITED: I should finish this up this week ... just have Bluezoo and some final comment to make. Thanks again for reading!

Guidelines? Rules were made to be broken! It is better to beg forgiveness then ask permission! :thumbsup2

Awaiting your Bluezoo review - we opted for Il Mulino for May, but plan to do Bluezoo in October. Also, check out restaurant.com - they had the Vegas Hash House on there for a while.

[allshookup]

Brenda I've thoroughly enjoying your reviews as always! Glad to see CG has made it back on the list. Still one of our faves! So sad you won't be doing anymore reviews, but I can imagine how time consuming it must be. Looking forward to your last update, but take your time! ;)

[CampbellScot]

Wait...there are now GUIDELINES to the length of trip reports/food reviews?!

wha?

sheesh...I guess won't be writing another trip report as it usually takes me a good long time to finish them up...if there is now pressure from the powers that be...to keep to a time line...that's IT for moi. I don't deal well with constraints and deadlines in REAL life as it is.

I forget...is the Dis supposed to be about fun or about work?

:rolleyes:

don't let the MAN keep you from your true calling as a Disney trip food reviewer.

I mean REALLY!

*harrumph*

;)

[oybolshoi]

Friday, October 23rd - Dinner for Two at Jiko or a Feast for Four at Bluezoo???

Long story short ... Jay and I had an ADR for Jiko this night. And we had been trying like mad for several days to change the reservation from two to four so that Chelsi and Jason could join us. But there was no room at the cooking place for just two more bodies and that meant that no one was going to be eating African donuts for dessert because Jay and Bendy weren't rolling into the high plains of Florida's Serengeti without their new, long-lost foodie friends!

So we implemented plan Bluezoo: show up with no reservations, claim a table in the lounge, order a gaggle of appetizers and drinks, and finish off a fine trip in style. It was an extra added bonus that the restaurant was only a five minute walk from our respective vacation club hotels. From a purely selfish point of view I was actually kind of glad the evening worked out the way it did; I hadn't been feeling well most of the day and could tell that I was getting sick, so not having to deal with the transportation headache of getting to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and back was a welcome relief.

Jay and Bendy
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/547.jpg

Chelsi & Jason
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/549.jpg

For a Friday night Bluezoo was deader than the Dead Sea ... only with less salt. We could have had just about any table in the restaurant but decided to stick with the lounge. After settling ourselves in a nice, comfy corner booth, we proceeded to do what we always do: order drinks!

Jay and I started with an unidentified drink and a Veev-A-Acai. The Veev-A-Acai was a gamble on my part ... described as Veev Acai Liqueur, Grey Goose le Poire, Youngberry Juice, Lemon Juice, and Fresh Berries served over ice topped with Youngberry Foam, I had absolutely no idea what this was going to taste like. And what is a youngberry, anyway? The opposite of an oldberry? :laughing: As drinks go it wasn't bad but I seem to recall it being a little too sweet ... in retrospect: DUH! I should have stuck with the zooberry.

Jay's mystery drink and my va-va-voom!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/551.jpg

Kirkland? Belvedere? Forgetful minds want to know!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/552.jpg

We then spent the next two hours horrifying our waitress by ordering almost every appetizer on the menu along with more drinks and then dessert. I bet management was worried that we might eat the wall coverings. :rotfl2:

First up, something I didn't eat ... a plate of sweetbreads. I object! This is blatant false advertising ... there is nothing remotely sweet nor breadlike nor sweetbreadlike about these gooshie little glands. In the words of Danny Vermin, "I tried them once. Once."

Glands as viands?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/553.jpg

For the less adventurous (but no less hungry) we also ordered a flatbread. I was jonesin for that four cheese and garlic baby that we'd had here last year but it was no longer on the menu .... oh cruel disappointment! The margherita flatbread was an acceptable substitute ... acceptable enough that we ended up ordering two ... but it just wasn't the same.

Margherita Flatbread
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/554.jpg

Then there was the short-rib in cauliflower puree ...

YUM!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/555.jpg

Shrimp cocktail and paint schmear dipping sauces ...

Shrimpie good times!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/562.jpg

Haricot Verts (fancy-schmany Frenchie green beans) ...

French Beans!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/564.jpg

And last but not least: Shake and Bake Fries ...

French Fries!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/565.jpg

Jay also ordered a second drink: The Bacon Bourbon Smash! This drink was made with Maker's Mark Bourbon infused with smoked bacon, muddled lemon and mint, and organic maple syrup served over crushed ice.

Bacon and Booze? We've died and gone to hog heaven!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/560.jpg

I think my second drink was a Strawberry Nitro Fizz, made with 10 Cane Rum, Lemoncello, Pama, muddled fresh strawberries and lemon, and topped with Red Bull.

It's very tall and very potent
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/558.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/559.jpg

For dessert we ordered the trio of Cocktail Sorbets ... and I have no idea what they were but they were all very tatsy - refreshing and flavorful and a definite light alternative ending to the meal.

Boozie sorbet
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/566.jpg

And we also ordered the Chocolate Melange ... which was five different types of chocolatey goodness that were rich and gooey and unspeakably good!

Sinfully tasty
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/567.jpg

This evening went a long way towards restoring Bluezoo in our opinion. We'd had a fabulous dinner here in October 2008 with friends and then attended the F&W signature dinner here in October 2009 with mixed results. This evening of gorging proved that the kitchen staff knows what it's doing and Todd English needs to leave them alone. Would Jay and I go back to Bluezoo in the future? Yes, I do believe we would - we would likely stick with a mess of appetizers and drinks because we enjoyed sampling so much of what the restaurant had to offer that way.

But the best part of the evening was sharing it with Chelsi and Jason - it was the perfect end to one of the best trips we've had to WDW in a long time and the start of a wonderful, real-world friendship. Who can ask for more than that? :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Guidelines? Rules were made to be broken! It is better to beg forgiveness then ask permission! :thumbsup2

Awaiting your Bluezoo review - we opted for Il Mulino for May, but plan to do Bluezoo in October. Also, check out restaurant.com - they had the Vegas Hash House on there for a while.

Yes ... it looks like there are new review guidelines that I will be unable to comply with. When in someone else's sandbox you play by their rules or go home. Since I don't want to annoy anyone (too much ... ;) ) I will just drop the hammer here.

Thanks for the heads up on Hash House ... not good for breakfast though and that's the only meal we'd do there.

Brenda I've thoroughly enjoying your reviews as always! Glad to see CG has made it back on the list. Still one of our faves! So sad you won't be doing anymore reviews, but I can imagine how time consuming it must be. Looking forward to your last update, but take your time! ;)

Thanks very much Diane - I appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to read them. :goodvibes

Wait...there are now GUIDELINES to the length of trip reports/food reviews?!

wha?

sheesh...I guess won't be writing another trip report as it usually takes me a good long time to finish them up...if there is now pressure from the powers that be...to keep to a time line...that's IT for moi. I don't deal well with constraints and deadlines in REAL life as it is.

I forget...is the Dis supposed to be about fun or about work?

:rolleyes:

don't let the MAN keep you from your true calling as a Disney trip food reviewer.

I mean REALLY!

*harrumph*

;)

I'm going to keep posting on my bloggity-blooog ... that way I can write about other food adventures and not have to worry about breaking any rules or saying something I shouldn't. I always say something I shouldn't ... :rotfl2:

I will have one last post to wrap things up, so please bear with me just a little longer! Thanks! :goodvibes

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Sounds like you guys had a perfect ending to your trip. I'm glad you had such a good time at Bluezoo and with Chelsi & Jason. I can't say I'm dying to go back to Bluezoo because we've had two absolutely horrendous experiences there, so its blackballed for probably a few years for us. Maybe the key is to nix dinner and just do it like you guys did with drinks, apps and dessert. Thanks for sharing the good times and food pornage with us. :goodvibes

[whogirl'smom]

Well, that looked like a wonderful way to end a trip! I'm sorry this is your last review...missed that post evidently last week...but we'll talk of that elsewhere. I just want to know what in the world they did to those green beans?? Can't figure it out for the life of me...fries, though....fries right now would be lovely! :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Sounds like you guys had a perfect ending to your trip. I'm glad you had such a good time at Bluezoo and with Chelsi & Jason. I can't say I'm dying to go back to Bluezoo because we've had two absolutely horrendous experiences there, so its blackballed for probably a few years for us. Maybe the key is to nix dinner and just do it like you guys did with drinks, apps and dessert. Thanks for sharing the good times and food pornage with us. :goodvibes

Thanks for reading along with us Alison! And I'm sorry to hear you've had two poor experiences there - that's a shame, but I totally understand why you wouldn't go back for a while. We still have no desire to dine at Artist Point and it's been three years since they underwhelmed us.

Well, that looked like a wonderful way to end a trip! I'm sorry this is your last review...missed that post evidently last week...but we'll talk of that elsewhere. I just want to know what in the world they did to those green beans?? Can't figure it out for the life of me...fries, though....fries right now would be lovely! :goodvibes

Jamie ... those beans were fried in tempura batter. Very tasty.

And it was a lovely way to end the trip ... good food, good booze, good friends! :thumbsup2

[livinlife25]

Hey! I was looking at someones review of Ohana, saw the sticky wings and wondering...Have you ever made requests for no seeds? How did that go over or how did explain?

[oybolshoi]

Hey! I was looking at someones review of Ohana, saw the sticky wings and wondering...Have you ever made requests for no seeds? How did that go over or how did explain?

I've made that request at Victoria & Albert's ... no where else because I usually just avoid anything with seeds upfront. Have never been to Ohanas but I've heard they're really good about working with people with dietary restrictions if you give them some notice.

[livinlife25]

I've made that request at Victoria & Albert's ... no where else because I usually just avoid anything with seeds upfront. Have never been to Ohanas but I've heard they're really good about working with people with dietary restrictions if you give them some notice.

lol, they seemed good about them. It just seems like a silly request compared to food allergies etc

[oybolshoi]

lol, they seemed good about them. It just seems like a silly request compared to food allergies etc

I don't think it's silly at all. I have sent sundaes back at Ghiradelli and Beaches and Cream because they didn't leave the nuts out as requested. I don't get into specifics with them but I do let them know that I have an intestinal issue that makes seeds and nuts a voyage of discovery that no one wants to know about. :laughing:

[catne]

loved your reviews...will miss ya. Can't believe there will be no more published adventures in eating from you!

Well, every time we drive to Florida from Nebraska, and we go past Ofallon, I will roll down the window and shout howdy.

au revoir!

[BriarRosie]

Friday, October 23rd - Dinner for Two at Jiko or a Feast for Four at Bluezoo???

Long story short ... Jay and I had an ADR for Jiko this night. And we had been trying like mad for several days to change the reservation from two to four so that Chelsi and Jason could join us. But there was no room at the cooking place for just two more bodies and that meant that no one was going to be eating African donuts for dessert because Jay and Bendy weren't rolling into the high plains of Florida's Serengeti without their new, long-lost foodie friends!

Just as well you shouldn't leave Chelsi and Jason behind. As if!


So we implemented plan Bluezoo: show up with no reservations, claim a table in the lounge, order a gaggle of appetizers and drinks, and finish off a fine trip in style. It was an extra added bonus that the restaurant was only a five minute walk from our respective vacation club hotels. From a purely selfish point of view I was actually kind of glad the evening worked out the way it did; I hadn't been feeling well most of the day and could tell that I was getting sick, so not having to deal with the transportation headache of getting to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and back was a welcome relief.

Jay and Bendy
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/547.jpg

Chelsi & Jason
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/549.jpg

These people look familiar...


For a Friday night Bluezoo was deader than the Dead Sea ... only with less salt.

BWAHAHAHAHA!! I knew you had to add that for us handful of folks who can appreciate it at its fullest potential. ;) I'm still dehydrated.


We could have had just about any table in the restaurant but decided to stick with the lounge. After settling ourselves in a nice, comfy corner booth, we proceeded to do what we always do: order drinks!

Jay and I started with an unidentified drink and a Veev-A-Acai. The Veev-A-Acai was a gamble on my part ... described as Veev Acai Liqueur, Grey Goose le Poire, Youngberry Juice, Lemon Juice, and Fresh Berries served over ice topped with Youngberry Foam, I had absolutely no idea what this was going to taste like. And what is a youngberry, anyway? The opposite of an oldberry? :laughing: As drinks go it wasn't bad but I seem to recall it being a little too sweet ... in retrospect: DUH! I should have stuck with the zooberry.

Jay's mystery drink and my va-va-voom!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/551.jpg

Kirkland? Belvedere? Forgetful minds want to know!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/552.jpg

We then spent the next two hours horrifying our waitress by ordering almost every appetizer on the menu along with more drinks and then dessert. I bet management was worried that we might eat the wall coverings. :rotfl2:

That's my kind of dinner! Drinks, appetizers, desserts!


First up, something I didn't eat ... a plate of sweetbreads. I object! This is blatant false advertising ... there is nothing remotely sweet nor breadlike nor sweetbreadlike about these gooshie little glands. In the words of Danny Vermin, "I tried them once. Once."

Glands as viands?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/553.jpg

*snort* Gotta love a Johnny Dangerously reference. Since my Gluttoberfest was a Salute to all Glands but Mostly Sweetbreads, I know where I can get them now. ;) All they need is foie gras to stick it to Disney.


For the less adventurous (but no less hungry) we also ordered a flatbread. I was jonesin for that four cheese and garlic baby that we'd had here last year but it was no longer on the menu .... oh cruel disappointment! The margherita flatbread was an acceptable substitute ... acceptable enough that we ended up ordering two ... but it just wasn't the same.

Margherita Flatbread
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/554.jpg

Gah! No white bianco/blanco/whatchamacallit flatbread now? Bummer. I would still be satisfied with the classic Margherita, though.


Then there was the short-rib in cauliflower puree ...

YUM!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/555.jpg?

What? No scallop? They downsized this appetizer and removed it? What gives? :confused:


Shrimp cocktail and paint schmear dipping sauces ...

Shrimpie good times!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/562.jpg

Ooh, pretty. Colorful shrimp slip n' slides!


Haricot Verts (fancy-schmany Frenchie green beans) ...

French Beans!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/564.jpg

And last but not least: Shake and Bake Fries ...

French Fries!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/565.jpg

Fried food = always good. I can fool myself with the green beans thinking I'm not doing something that bad for me. But just barely.


Jay also ordered a second drink: The Bacon Bourbon Smash! This drink was made with Maker's Mark Bourbon infused with smoked bacon, muddled lemon and mint, and organic maple syrup served over crushed ice.

Bacon and Booze? We've died and gone to hog heaven!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/560.jpg

Get. Out. That's so cool that they managed to put bacon in a drink.


For dessert we ordered the trio of Cocktail Sorbets ... and I have no idea what they were but they were all very tatsy - refreshing and flavorful and a definite light alternative ending to the meal.

Boozie sorbet
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/566.jpg

And we also ordered the Chocolate Melange ... which was five different types of chocolatey goodness that were rich and gooey and unspeakably good!

Sinfully tasty
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/Stuff/October%202009/567.jpg

Meh, sorbet. Gimme that chocolate melange stuff.


This evening went a long way towards restoring Bluezoo in our opinion. We'd had a fabulous dinner here in October 2008 with friends and then attended the F&W signature dinner here in October 2009 with mixed results. This evening of gorging proved that the kitchen staff knows what it's doing and Todd English needs to leave them alone. Would Jay and I go back to Bluezoo in the future? Yes, I do believe we would - we would likely stick with a mess of appetizers and drinks because we enjoyed sampling so much of what the restaurant had to offer that way.

But the best part of the evening was sharing it with Chelsi and Jason - it was the perfect end to one of the best trips we've had to WDW in a long time and the start of a wonderful, real-world friendship. Who can ask for more than that? :goodvibes

Looks like you found some redemption. :laughing:
I think my lack of ADR commitment might turn into Lounges Around the World in October. I feel so blah about making a commitment for one person.

[livinlife25]

I don't think it's silly at all. I have sent sundaes back at Ghiradelli and Beaches and Cream because they didn't leave the nuts out as requested. I don't get into specifics with them but I do let them know that I have an intestinal issue that makes seeds and nuts a voyage of discovery that no one wants to know about. :laughing:

:rotfl2: That is a great way to put that!!

[cbg1027]

You're very sweet. :goodvibes The bluezoo review will certainly wrap this up with a bang ... we had a veritable appetizer and alcohol beverage feast that night in the bar!

We go back in October again but don't look for any reviews ... this will likely be the final chapter in our WDW dining adventures. It had to happen sooner or later. :laughing:

I'm so crushed....:guilty:

I love that your final review involved lots of booze...appropriate!

[TigerKat]

I wanted to ask about the missing scallop too!!????

Great way to wrap up an awesome vacation Bendy! You've given me an idea for October as well, we may show up there and do the same!

[podsnel]

Yea- where's the scallop?? My whole motivation for heading over there in a few weeks is to sit at the bar, drink that zooberry concoction, and eat that scallop!!

I think that's a great way to spend your last night (or any night, for that matter!), with friends and grazing all the appetizers. It's always my favorite part of the meal anyway. Must have something to do with the fact that i love a good cocktail party!! On a couple of the nights on this upcoming trip we're planning on doing that...a little here, a little there....always fun to try everything, right?
:thumbsup2

I really love your reviews, Bendy. Really, tho? No more?? :sad:

[MA pigletfan]

boozey bacon!??? i am frightened , but strangely intrigued.
Great last post Brenda...sad that this is the end of the line of a great series of WDW food reviews, but I know where i can go to read on about your many future fabulous food adventures :)

[jakenjess]

Hey Brenda!:goodvibes

I FINALLY got caught up and now it's over.:sad2: Awesome reviews, as always. I will certainly miss reading about your foodie adventures at the World, but I completely understand the time thing. Heck, I barely have time to read and post a reply! I hope someday we are at WDW at the same time (I'm hoping for some F&W trips in a few years, now that the kiddos are getting older and there will be some adults-only trips for me and DH) and we can share some boozie goodness:thumbsup2.

Thanks for all the hard work you've put into all the review; they've been fabulous!!

[kabuki]

We are so happy with your "no Jason and Chelsi left behind" rule! :lmao: We loved that night with you and would have been happy anyplace as long as we had that one last night to drink and giggle shamelessly with you both! That is a trip we will never forget and now have two (and Pete) wonderful friends for life! :lovestruc

By the way those sweetbreads were Abby-Normal! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:
and your Strawberry drink looks like it comes in a big glass of raw salmon!?:eek:
The bacon drink was cool and strange at the same time!

I have more comments but I am taking too long and the new guidelines are making me end my snark!:rotfl2::confused3:rotfl2::confused3:rotfl2: :confused3:rotfl2:

[KristinAnne]

Thanks for all of your reviews. They've been great fun to read. I may have to start stalking your blog so I can get my fix! Looking forward to your wrap-up.

[TigerKat]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of your hard work and the time you dedicated to make your reviews something very special and so very entertaining. Had I not stumbled upon your reviews years ago I'd have never gotten to meet you and Jay and for that alone I am so thankful. I can't wait to see y'all again in October and you know I'll be following your dining adventures on the blog. Love ya lady.:hug:

[Circusgirl]

It has been an epic time, reading your endlessly entertaining reviews and reports. Never stop writing and we will always show up! Thanks for millions of great moments!

[CampbellScot]

I have to say...this entire review rivals the Argle-Bargle installment for good snort laughs. If memory serves...Argle-Bargle is the review that contained my favorite Bendy quote of all time "Jason LIKES IT when I don't wear pants!!":lmao::lmao::lmao: OH man. Kills me every single time.:rotfl2::rotfl2: I also loved the implementation of the daily envelopes of lottery tickets for good behavior to Bendy's dear Grimace. :lmao::lmao:

Now I have to say...I have a Jason too...so I can I join the "I married a Jason" club? :love:;) My Jason is also mild mannered to my super exuberance...and he would SO drink a bacon booze drink. I think we might have a smashing time together! Just add Tequila!!

I'm with you on the sweetbreads thing. Sweetbreads are icky. (does that statement totally give away the fact that I work with young children?) It's such an accurate and succinct description for deep fried squishy glands.

It's been a pleasure to read of your food wanderings at the world!!!

you are a food writing Goddess!!!:worship::worship:

[kabuki]

I have to say...this entire review rivals the Argle-Bargle installment for good snort laughs. If memory serves...Argle-Bargle is the review that contained my favorite Bendy quote of all time "Jason LIKES IT when I don't wear pants!!":lmao::lmao::lmao: OH man. Kills me every single time.:rotfl2::rotfl2: I also loved the implementation of the daily envelopes of lottery tickets for good behavior to Bendy's dear Grimace. :lmao::lmao:

Now I have to say...I have a Jason too...so I can I join the "I married a Jason" club? :love:;) My Jason is also mild mannered to my super exuberance...and he would SO drink a bacon booze drink. I think we might have a smashing time together! Just add Tequila!!

I'm with you on the sweetbreads thing. Sweetbreads are icky. (does that statement totally give away the fact that I work with young children?) It's such an accurate and succinct description for deep fried squishy glands.

It's been a pleasure to read of your food wanderings at the world!!!

you are a food writing Goddess!!!:worship::worship:


NO JASON LEFT BEHIND! :rotfl2:

[oybolshoi]

loved your reviews...will miss ya. Can't believe there will be no more published adventures in eating from you!

Well, every time we drive to Florida from Nebraska, and we go past Ofallon, I will roll down the window and shout howdy.

au revoir!

Thanks very much Cathy. I will still be writing, just not publishing on this board. And there aren't many WDW reviews left for us to do anyway ... time to move on, right? ;)

Just as well you shouldn't leave Chelsi and Jason behind. As if!

BWAHAHAHAHA!! I knew you had to add that for us handful of folks who can appreciate it at its fullest potential. ;) I'm still dehydrated.

I knew you'd get a laugh out of that!

That's my kind of dinner! Drinks, appetizers, desserts!

It worked out great!

*snort* Gotta love a Johnny Dangerously reference. Since my Gluttoberfest was a Salute to all Glands but Mostly Sweetbreads, I know where I can get them now. All they need is foie gras to stick it to Disney.

If they'd had foie gras on the menu I think all four of us would have ordered it!

Gah! No white bianco/blanco/whatchamacallit flatbread now? Bummer. I would still be satisfied with the classic Margherita, though.

I miss that blanco flatbread ... it was so garlicky and good, but the margherita was an acceptable alternative.

What? No scallop? They downsized this appetizer and removed it? What gives?

I didn't order this one last year so I don't remember how it used to be; still tasty, though!

Ooh, pretty. Colorful shrimp slip n' slides!

Fun, isn't it?

Fried food = always good. I can fool myself with the green beans thinking I'm not doing something that bad for me. But just barely.

I don't like these ... but I'm weird that way.

Get. Out. That's so cool that they managed to put bacon in a drink.

I seem to remember this as being good strange but good!

Meh, sorbet. Gimme that chocolate melange stuff. Looks like you found some redemption. I think my lack of ADR commitment might turn into Lounges Around the World in October. I feel so blah about making a commitment for one person.

I loved the sorbet ... great flavors and really light. My stomach was bothering me anyway so I couldn't really eat much of the chocolate. What I did try was very good. Lounge around the world could be great fun!


That is a great way to put that!!

I'm always looking for a way to laugh about something that just isn't remotely funny.

I'm so crushed....

I love that your final review involved lots of booze...appropriate!

Oh, don't be sad ... there will be other reviews to enjoy ... and you will have your own, too! Thanks very much for reading.

I wanted to ask about the missing scallop too!!????

Great way to wrap up an awesome vacation Bendy! You've given me an idea for October as well, we may show up there and do the same!

I didn't know the scallop was missing? I guess the meat puppet changed the menu. Lounge dinner was a great idea that night - I think you guys would love it!

Yea- where's the scallop?? My whole motivation for heading over there in a few weeks is to sit at the bar, drink that zooberry concoction, and eat that scallop!!

I think that's a great way to spend your last night (or any night, for that matter!), with friends and grazing all the appetizers. It's always my favorite part of the meal anyway. Must have something to do with the fact that i love a good cocktail party!! On a couple of the nights on this upcoming trip we're planning on doing that...a little here, a little there....always fun to try everything, right?

I really love your reviews, Bendy. Really, tho? No more?? :sad:

Maybe there is a different scallop appetizer now? They had a lot of great appetizers on the menu, so I think you should stick with your original plan and get that zooberry!

And thank you very much for the kind words about the reviews - I've enjoyed sharing our food adventures with everyone. I won't be posting any more on this board unless we do something really great this fall but I will still be writing reviews and posting them on the blog or the Friendie thread, so don't be a stranger!


boozey bacon!??? i am frightened , but strangely intrigued. Great last post Brenda...sad that this is the end of the line of a great series of WDW food reviews, but I know where i can go to read on about your many future fabulous food adventures :)

Thanks Gina - don't be a stranger!!

Hey Brenda!:goodvibes

I FINALLY got caught up and now it's over.:sad2: Awesome reviews, as always. I will certainly miss reading about your foodie adventures at the World, but I completely understand the time thing. Heck, I barely have time to read and post a reply! I hope someday we are at WDW at the same time (I'm hoping for some F&W trips in a few years, now that the kiddos are getting older and there will be some adults-only trips for me and DH) and we can share some boozie goodness:thumbsup2.

Thanks for all the hard work you've put into all the review; they've been fabulous!!

Hi Lori! Thanks so much for sticking with us from the beginning ... I've met so many wonderful people here and it's been great fun. And there will be a F&W trip for you ... there just has to be!!

We are so happy with your "no Jason and Chelsi left behind" rule! :lmao: We loved that night with you and would have been happy anyplace as long as we had that one last night to drink and giggle shamelessly with you both! That is a trip we will never forget and now have two (and Pete) wonderful friends for life! :lovestruc

By the way those sweetbreads were Abby-Normal! :rotfl2:
and your Strawberry drink looks like it comes in a big glass of raw salmon!?:eek:
The bacon drink was cool and strange at the same time!

I have more comments but I am taking too long and the new guidelines are making me end my snark!:confused3:rotfl2:

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Meeting the two of you and sharing so much of WDW with you was a gift. :hug:

Thanks for all of your reviews. They've been great fun to read. I may have to start stalking your blog so I can get my fix! Looking forward to your wrap-up.

Thanks very much for reading. All are welcome on the blog to read about some of the F&W stuff we do here in Stinktown as well as the things we get up to in other cities. Big Vegas foodie trip planned next month ... FULL BELLY WILL BE ACHIEVED!!

Just wanted to say thanks for all of your hard work and the time you dedicated to make your reviews something very special and so very entertaining. Had I not stumbled upon your reviews years ago I'd have never gotten to meet you and Jay and for that alone I am so thankful. I can't wait to see y'all again in October and you know I'll be following your dining adventures on the blog. Love ya lady.:hug:

Kathy, you're a sweetheart and thank you very much. Nothing but love in Stinktown for you, too, my friend!

It has been an epic time, reading your endlessly entertaining reviews and reports. Never stop writing and we will always show up! Thanks for millions of great moments!

Heather, thanks very much for reading and for being so supportive. And for your own amazing trip reports!

I have to say...this entire review rivals the Argle-Bargle installment for good snort laughs. If memory serves...Argle-Bargle is the review that contained my favorite Bendy quote of all time "Jason LIKES IT when I don't wear pants!!":lmao: OH man. Kills me every single time.:rotfl2: I also loved the implementation of the daily envelopes of lottery tickets for good behavior to Bendy's dear Grimace. :lmao:

Now I have to say...I have a Jason too...so I can I join the "I married a Jason" club? :love:;) My Jason is also mild mannered to my super exuberance...and he would SO drink a bacon booze drink. I think we might have a smashing time together! Just add Tequila!!

I'm with you on the sweetbreads thing. Sweetbreads are icky. (does that statement totally give away the fact that I work with young children?) It's such an accurate and succinct description for deep fried squishy glands.

It's been a pleasure to read of your food wanderings at the world!!!

you are a food writing Goddess!!!:worship:

Campbell, you are going to turn my head but thank you for the kind words. The argle bargle did have some great moments ... some of the best, funniest stories to ever come out of WDW. Amazing what that mixture of narcotic pain killers and my mom can do for a trip!

Don't be a stranger ... you know where to find me and I think a meeting of fabulous woman who marry men named Jason is in order! :laughing:

NO JASON LEFT BEHIND! :rotfl2:

I'm sponsoring a bill ... as soon as I'm elected to office!

[oybolshoi]

Well, here we are ... made it to the end of another dining review in just under six months. That may be a record for me! :rotfl2:

I have a few thoughts I'd like to share and then I shall be on my way.

First up, the Food & Wine Festival: Jay and I were very impressed by efforts made on the part of the planners to mix up the menus this year - there was a nice blend of old favorites and new offerings which we really appreciated. And the food itself for the most part was well prepared and quite tasty. Kudos to them ... we look forward to this year's festival with renewed interest and rumblie tumblies!

Secondly: Private Dining rocks the Casbah! We've all seen the good and the bad from folks around here trying to order special occasion cakes. Sometimes I think it depends on your fortune in who initially takes the order, but all I can say is those folks at the Yacht & Beach Club Private Dining were wonderful and responsive and turned out a birthday cake for this old crohn that I will never forget. And it tasted as good as it looked! :thumbsup2 They did such a great job that I wrote a letter - and I know Disney corporate reads those letters because they called me to let me know how much they appreciated receiving positive feedback.

And lastly ... this will be the final set of full-length dining reviews from yours truly. A number of factors have played into this decision: we've reviewed just about everything at WDW that we're interested in; writing these the way I want to so that I'm not embarrassed to put my name on them takes a lot of time; and the DIS guidelines for restaurant reviews have recently changed. It will never be possible for me to finish a 10-day vacation set of reviews in the requested three-month window ... I don't have that kind of free time and I'm not going to post a bunch of pictures and call it a review. I like to tell a story and if I can't do it here then I will just do it elsewhere where it won't get in anyone's way.

I have nothing but gratitude and fond feelings for all of you who have taken a lot of your own time to follow along with the general silliness and shameful gluttony that is a Jay and Bendy WDW trip. Thanks to the DIS restaurant boards Jay and I have met and made some wonderful friends. On a more personal and selfish note, your collective support and enthusiasm for our food tales over the past few years has meant more to me than I can properly express - it is thanks to you that I was able to rediscover a love of storytelling that I thought I'd lost forever.

So thank you - friendies, posters, lurkers, random readers, well wishers, and people who wish I'd leave now and never come back - thank you for letting me share the silliness and food and booze love with you. :grouphug:

There will always be non-Disney food reviews posted on our blog should anyone feel brave enough to take a read. And many of us hang out on the community boards on the friendie thread - all are welcome to join us where we like to share all kinds of fabulous food porn from around the country!

One last time ... thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your thoughts and opinions. It's been wonderful laughing with all of you. :goodvibes

[*KeepMovingForward*]

The restaurant boards won't be the same without you Brenda! Thanks for all the laughs and drool worthy food porn. :thumbsup2

[kabuki]

Brenda!

You are the reason I started doing reports and you are the reason I LOVED reading them in the 1st place! You are a unique, talented, funny and wonderful person who will be sadly missed by many more than will write and say! I see the "BRENDA" touch with a lot of reports these days but no one quite gets it correct but you! I understand why you have called it but as a fan of your special kind of reporting - humor -booze -food and truth - I am very sad! Please keep writing someplace, the world would be a sadder place without you!

Your biggest fan and also your friend!
:lovestruc
Chelsi (and Jason)

[BriarRosie]

You were a bad influence on me, too! I mean that in the best way, of course! I started posting food reports because of you, too. :hug:

[disneyfav4ever]

Count me as another one who will certainly miss your reviews, they've always been helpful, informative, and entertaining.

[Shenanigoat]

I haven't been Dis-ing in a while, but I don't think it's an understatement to say your reviews will be missed by many.:worship: The time and thought you put into them really showed and made for a hilariously enjoyable experiance.:hug:

But life must go on, and at least we friendies will always have the Ditch!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o75/shenanigoat/gifs/fxwaae.gif

[dizneeat]

Thank you so much for all the time and effort that went into this and all your other reports! I REALLY love them and will miss your reviews dearly! :hug:

[ChelleinNC]

This was a wonderful and sad way to start my day :hug: I will miss your reviews on the DIS, but you can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be stalking you on your bloggy thingy :lmao:

[jedijill]

I'm so sad to see you go. I understand the reasons but there will be a hole left on the Dining board.

In the immortal words of Julia Child, "Bon Appetit!"

Jill in CO

[oybolshoi]

The restaurant boards won't be the same without you Brenda! Thanks for all the laughs and drool worthy food porn. :thumbsup2

Thanks Alison. :hug:

Brenda!

You are the reason I started doing reports and you are the reason I LOVED reading them in the 1st place! You are a unique, talented, funny and wonderful person who will be sadly missed by many more than will write and say! I see the "BRENDA" touch with a lot of reports these days but no one quite gets it correct but you! I understand why you have called it but as a fan of your special kind of reporting - humor -booze -food and truth - I am very sad! Please keep writing someplace, the world would be a sadder place without you!

Your biggest fan and also your friend!
:lovestruc
Chelsi (and Jason)

Stop ... you're going to make this old Crohn weep a little weep. You're too kind but I loves you for it! :hug: And I'm going to keep writing because now I don't think I can stop! :rotfl2:

You were a bad influence on me, too! I mean that in the best way, of course! I started posting food reports because of you, too. :hug:

That's the best kind of compliment - thank you! :hug:

Count me as another one who will certainly miss your reviews, they've always been helpful, informative, and entertaining.

Thanks very much!

I haven't been Dis-ing in a while, but I don't think it's an understatement to say your reviews will be missed by many.:worship: The time and thought you put into them really showed and made for a hilariously enjoyable experiance.:hug:

But life must go on, and at least we friendies will always have the Ditch!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o75/shenanigoat/gifs/fxwaae.gif

Wahahaha!! It's Q!!! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: Thank you so much for the kind words!

Thank you so much for all the time and effort that went into this and all your other reports! I REALLY love them and will miss your reviews dearly! :hug:

Thanks Karin - I will still be here reading yours!! :thumbsup2

This was a wonderful and sad way to start my day :hug: I will miss your reviews on the DIS, but you can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be stalking you on your bloggy thingy :lmao:

Thanks Chelle! All are welcome on the blog ... and just think of all the weird and scary stuff we can try and then post there!

I'm so sad to see you go. I understand the reasons but there will be a hole left on the Dining board.

In the immortal words of Julia Child, "Bon Appetit!"

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill - I know you've been here from the beginning too, so it was good to hear from you.

Thanks everyone! :grouphug:

[PNO4TE]

Brenda - Thank you for your delightful, insightful (and at times incite-ful) reviews of all foods Disney. I will miss reading your humor here on the restaurant board. Luckily I can continue to enjoy you as a friendie and a blogger. Many thanks.

[pollymn]

Brenda I wanted to thank you too for all the time and effort you put into your reports. I found all of your descriptions hysterically funny and very informative. (even as a nondrinker:scared1:) I will truely miss "lurking" on your reports.:sad1:
Polly

[quinnc19]

And lastly ... this will be the final set of full-length dining reviews from yours truly. A number of factors have played into this decision: we've reviewed just about everything at WDW that we're interested in; writing these the way I want to so that I'm not embarrassed to put my name on them takes a lot of time; and the DIS guidelines for restaurant reviews have recently changed. It will never be possible for me to finish a 10-day vacation set of reviews in the requested three-month window ... I don't have that kind of free time and I'm not going to post a bunch of pictures and call it a review. I like to tell a story and if I can't do it here then I will just do it elsewhere where it won't get in anyone's way.


:sad1: I'll miss them!! While they haven't inspired me to write - they've certainly inspired me to eat and drink!

[SmallWorld71]

First, I must ask, what are on those green beans? It looks to me like they are frozen and covered with ice, but I know that can't be it.:confused3

Second, I just want to thank-you for all your great reviews. I know I've told you before, but it was one of your reviews that inspired me to join the DISboards in the first place because I just had to comment. So, thanks again!:flower3:

[livinlife25]

I can't believe you won't be doing anymore reviews! I am going to have to go back and reread some of your old ones. I'm also subscribing to your blog on reader so let us know if you decide to post your disney ones anywhere. I wish you, your family and your goblin all the best of luck :)

[hmgray95]

Brenda, you have been the inspiration for so many reviews on this board, and while I will be terribly sad to see you go, and will mourn the lack of originality that will exist on this board in your absence, I understand why you are stopping. Thanks for entertaining us all through the years!

[CampbellScot]

NO JASON LEFT BEHIND! :rotfl2:

LOVE IT!! Let's plan...I'm ready and I'm SUPER fun...I swear. :thumbsup2;)

Bendy oh Bendy...the person who introduced me to so many things...the person who encourages me to expand my booze horizons. You have helped me to become a much more educated and well rounded lush.

*ahem*

no really...you flat crack me up. You have induced more snort laughs than I ever thought possible...you've made me snot diet coke out my nose perhaps more than I would like...and most recently you made me snot a raisin. You have taught me not to snack or drink whilst reading funny stuff. Thank you for that.

You've got the magic girl. I'm glad to know I can find foodie writings continuing on your blog.

Now let's plan that "No Jason Left Behind" act!!!

:hug::worship::lmao::rotfl2::cool1::thumbsup2:

nothing but love:love:

[ses1230]

Bendy, I mostly lurked but I love your reviews! Thanks for the entertainment, but for the info, too. We might have to stop at The Ditch in November ;).

I'll check out the friendies thread. Who knows, maybe I'll be inspirted to do my own Disney Dining Review. :goodvibes

[cntkg1]

Thanks for all your hard work Bendy. :cutie:

You've taught me how to Pie that Brownie even if you called me a Fruitcake. :goodvibes

I'll miss your reviews kiddo. :hug: :sad:

[RGirl]

Brenda,

I am mostly a lurker on these boards to date as, at 40 years old, I have never been to WDW (will be making my first trip with my 3-year-old daughter and my 70-year-old mother in October :cool1:). I have, however, enjoyed reading your reviews so much - obviously, I became a parent at a somewhat later age ;), and your trips strike a chord with me; I love being a parent more than I have ever loved anything (and I fought very hard to get here), but I feel the tiniest twinge of jealousy when I read of your adult adventures in WDW. :rotfl: I guess I have kind of lived vicariously in two ways.

I will be sad to see you stop posting your reviews here, but I have been following your blog. Do you think you would consider posting your WDW reviews/food-trip reports there now? I know you feel like you have reviewed all the restaurants before, but that is one of the things that makes your reviews so valuable - you will know when quality has declined or increased and can post about it. I hope you will consider it!!

Either way, thank you for some great and really fun reports. I won't get to experience most of the places you have reviewed for quite a few more years given my daughter's age, but I can dream of the day! :rotfl: And, despite the fact that my child dipped chocolate in blue-cheese dressing last night, I am convinced I can turn into a foodie one day....... :rolleyes:

[oybolshoi]

Brenda - Thank you for your delightful, insightful (and at times incite-ful) reviews of all foods Disney. I will miss reading your humor here on the restaurant board. Luckily I can continue to enjoy you as a friendie and a blogger. Many thanks.

Elin ... :lmao: ... are you saying that I'm a rabble rouser? ;) Thanks so much for reading along with us - can't wait to meet you in a Ditch come October! :hug:

Brenda I wanted to thank you too for all the time and effort you put into your reports. I found all of your descriptions hysterically funny and very informative. (even as a nondrinker:scared1:) I will truely miss "lurking" on your reports.:sad1:
Polly

Thanks very much Polly; if you've enjoyed our trippies then I'm a happy girl! :goodvibes

:sad1: I'll miss them!! While they haven't inspired me to write - they've certainly inspired me to eat and drink!

Thank you! If we've inspired you to enjoy some of the good stuff you can find at WDW then our work here is done! :laughing:

First, I must ask, what are on those green beans? It looks to me like they are frozen and covered with ice, but I know that can't be it.:confused3

Second, I just want to thank-you for all your great reviews. I know I've told you before, but it was one of your reviews that inspired me to join the DISboards in the first place because I just had to comment. So, thanks again!:flower3:

Lessee ... I think the green beans were just covered with a light coating of tempura batter. I could be wrong because I didn't eat them but Jay said he thinks that sounds right. :confused3

Thanks very much for reading along with us! And look at what's happened since you joined the DIS ... more than 2000 posts! You're right at home! :hug:

[oybolshoi]

I can't believe you won't be doing anymore reviews! I am going to have to go back and reread some of your old ones. I'm also subscribing to your blog on reader so let us know if you decide to post your disney ones anywhere. I wish you, your family and your goblin all the best of luck.

Thanks very much - I will probably post some stuff from our October trip on the blog ... if something really good unfolds from a F&W event standpoint I may even come back here and post a single review about it .. just depends on how good the event is. But there will be Vegas reviews popping all summer over there so if you're ever bored come take a read! And good luck to you with your goblin - I really hope you're able to get it under control soon. :hug:

Brenda, you have been the inspiration for so many reviews on this board, and while I will be terribly sad to see you go, and will mourn the lack of originality that will exist on this board in your absence, I understand why you are stopping. Thanks for entertaining us all through the years!

Oh Heather, you're too kind but thank you. :hug: I've made so many wonderful friends through the joy of food that I should be thanking all of you! :goodvibes

LOVE IT!! Let's plan...I'm ready and I'm SUPER fun...I swear. :thumbsup2;)

Bendy oh Bendy...the person who introduced me to so many things...the person who encourages me to expand my booze horizons. You have helped me to become a much more educated and well rounded lush.

*ahem*

no really...you flat crack me up. You have induced more snort laughs than I ever thought possible...you've made me snot diet coke out my nose perhaps more than I would like...and most recently you made me snot a raisin. You have taught me not to snack or drink whilst reading funny stuff. Thank you for that.

You've got the magic girl. I'm glad to know I can find foodie writings continuing on your blog.

Now let's plan that "No Jason Left Behind" act!!!

:hug::worship::lmao::cool1:

nothing but love:love:

I love the idea of no Jason left behind! :lmao: We are thinking of paying a short visit to Memphis some time soon (please don't ask me to define soon) ... are you close to that area of TN? We could try for a meet up then ... but you must understand that I'm not really very amusing in the real world (unless you count funny looking ... :rotfl2:).

Thanks for reading along with us Campbell - and don't you stop writing either because your trippies are a riot!

Bendy, I mostly lurked but I love your reviews! Thanks for the entertainment, but for the info, too. We might have to stop at The Ditch in November ;).

I'll check out the friendies thread. Who knows, maybe I'll be inspirted to do my own Disney Dining Review. :goodvibes

Thanks very much for reading and if you like a good margarita you simply must stop in at the Ditch - it's a moral imperative! And be sure to let me know if you try your hand at a review so that I can stop by and read it!

Thanks for all your hard work Bendy. :cutie:

You've taught me how to Pie that Brownie even if you called me a Fruitcake. :goodvibes

I'll miss your reviews kiddo. :hug: :sad:

You always know where to find me Goose and you know I'll be writing something silly! Thank you for everything - you were the first and you'll always be the best! :hug:

Brenda,

I am mostly a lurker on these boards to date as, at 40 years old, I have never been to WDW (will be making my first trip with my 3-year-old daughter and my 70-year-old mother in October :cool1:). I have, however, enjoyed reading your reviews so much - obviously, I became a parent at a somewhat later age ;), and your trips strike a chord with me; I love being a parent more than I have ever loved anything (and I fought very hard to get here), but I feel the tiniest twinge of jealousy when I read of your adult adventures in WDW. :rotfl: I guess I have kind of lived vicariously in two ways.

I will be sad to see you stop posting your reviews here, but I have been following your blog. Do you think you would consider posting your WDW reviews/food-trip reports there now? I know you feel like you have reviewed all the restaurants before, but that is one of the things that makes your reviews so valuable - you will know when quality has declined or increased and can post about it. I hope you will consider it!!

Either way, thank you for some great and really fun reports. I won't get to experience most of the places you have reviewed for quite a few more years given my daughter's age, but I can dream of the day! :rotfl: And, despite the fact that my child dipped chocolate in blue-cheese dressing last night, I am convinced I can turn into a foodie one day....... :rolleyes:

Hi there - thanks for posting and for reading! I'm sure that some of our October adventures will find their way to the blog, especially anything that I've got a strong opinion about that doesn't matter to anyone but me. :laughing:

Congrats on the upcoming trip - you will have a wonderful wonderful time, no matter where you end up dining! And if you're going to be there in October you must get over to Epcot to try some of the great food and wine festival food - 26 booths scattered around the world showcase - YUM! And if you see us wandering around be sure to say hello!

[Lisa D]

I'm mainly a lurker but I've read and laughed out loud at all your reviews. Just wanted to say thank you - and DH and I will definately check out the Ditch next time (which will hopefully be August). I'll have to check out the Community Board thread.

[oybolshoi]

I'm mainly a lurker but I've read and laughed out loud at all your reviews. Just wanted to say thank you - and DH and I will definately check out the Ditch next time (which will hopefully be August). I'll have to check out the Community Board thread.

Hi Lisa - thanks for reading along with us! The link to the friendie thread is in my signature. Lots of Ditch fans there! :thumbsup2

And ... I fear I may have been remiss earlier in not specifically thanking the DISboard operators and boards mods for putting up with Jay and me and our long threads over the years. So thank you everyone ... it's been fun and I've truly enjoyed sharing our trips with all of you! :grouphug:

[2xcited2sleep]

I have missed any discussion on new DIS guidelines for reviews. (I'll refrain from comment here...:rolleyes1). I will say, however, that I have adored your reviews and will definitely miss them in the future. You have a very engaging writing style and I feel like I know you and your hubby even though I don't. :)

I am happy to hear you're going back for F&W this year even if there won't be any reviews. Any chance our dates will overlap?

I've been away from the DIS forever... have I missed your Vegas trip or is that still to come?

I hope we'll keep in touch on the Friendies thread. Thanks for all of your reviews that have brought so much happiness (and food cravings... ;))

[OurDogCisco]

I'm bummed you won't be doing anymore reviews. I don't think this board will be the same without you. I wish I had the talent to write like you. You definitely have a great story to tell. So, keep blogging. Okay...

[Disneyland_Mama]

What the fruit??? :faint:

No more Bendy reviews??? :eek:

'Tis a dark day on the Dis..... :sad2:

[RGirl]

Hi there - thanks for posting and for reading! I'm sure that some of our October adventures will find their way to the blog, especially anything that I've got a strong opinion about that doesn't matter to anyone but me.

Congrats on the upcoming trip - you will have a wonderful wonderful time, no matter where you end up dining! And if you're going to be there in October you must get over to Epcot to try some of the great food and wine festival food - 26 booths scattered around the world showcase - YUM! And if you see us wandering around be sure to say hello!

Thanks! I will make sure to check the blog regularly. ;)

We will definitely be hitting the Food & Wine Festival. Food? GOOD! Wine? EVEN BETTER! :cool1: I have one Epcot day scheduled right now, and we also have one to-be-decided-after-we-arrive day (our last day there), which I think will end up being either another Epcot day (basically, for more food and wine :rolleyes1) or another MK day.

[robinm1215]

Brenda, I haven't posted much on this thread lately but I've been following along. I am sad to see yet another great review come to an end and I truly appreciate all the effort you put into this review and all the other ones. I think your reviews were the first I read on these boards and all the info in your reviews has always been helpful as well as providing some laughs .:goodvibes

As others have mentioned, your reviews will be missed. I know I can go to the friendie thread for some Bendy reviews and laughs though! :thumbsup2

Looking forward to Food & Wine in October!!!

[shovan]

Brenda, Although I've been lurking on this report, I've never stopped reading, I couldn't! Your writing is thoroughly addictive!

I owe a lot of my Disney knowledge & enjoyment to you! :thumbsup2 I also have made many friends through the DIS and that all started with you & Jay! You're reviews will be sorely missed here! But you can be sure, I'll be following on the blog & a friendie forever!! :goodvibes:hug::hug:

[eliz991]

So thank you - friendies, posters, lurkers, random readers, well wishers, and people who wish I'd leave now and never come back - thank you for letting me share the silliness and food and booze love with you. :grouphug:

There will always be non-Disney food reviews posted on our blog should anyone feel brave enough to take a read. And many of us hang out on the community boards on the friendie thread - all are welcome to join us where we like to share all kinds of fabulous food porn from around the country!

One last time ... thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your thoughts and opinions. It's been wonderful laughing with all of you. :goodvibes

Thanks for the reviews Bendy! See you around the friendie thread and I will be keeping up with your blog...

Although I have to say, at first I thought you said "thanks to the people who I wish would leave now and never come back" and I was about to take it personally. :rotfl2:

[Jennifer48]

Wow. Its the end of an era. Way to leave it on a high note! I can't believe you won't be writing reviews anymore. I look forward to them every October after F&WF. :worship:

Thank you so much for taking the time and putting in such awesome effort in all of your reviews. We'll miss you B!:hug:

[lehto]

Brenda,

I have to equal everyone's sentiments on the sadness of your retirement from trip reviews here. DH and I first met you and Jay at PFTS and then sat with both of you the following day at the Scotch Pairing. It took me a while, but I finally found the board and the review you said you were going to write - and ever since then I've been hooked.

Hopefully our paths will cross again one day.... and don't ever stop writing!!

Cheers!! :drinking1
Heather

[mickeys#1fan]

I'll be sorry to see you, too...silly rules. I'll have to check out your blog.