Chapter 56. Thursday, February 7th. Day 8. Part 9. A DIS sighting? Dinner.
So when we last left you, we were finally leaving Animal Kingdom after a literal 2 week safari there....
But alas, Day 8 is still not over yet......
Just as a warning I'm only 1/2 way through my pictures, the bulk of my pix come in the last 6 days of the trip.......
We left AK at about 4:30 and got back to the room around 4:50pm (yes, I wrote that down). We had ADRs at Tutto Italia at 5:45pm. While everyone got freshened up and relaxed a little, I was in a rush to get out the door. Why you ask?
I was to have my official DIS meet with Coteau Chick!!!!!
She had an ADR at San Angel Inn at 5:00pm. I washed my face and changed my shirt and ran out the door....
I made it over to the Mexico Pavilion at 5:02 (yes, I wrote that down too). I walked over the podium area of San Angel...I was looking and looking....but I didn't see anyone who seemed to recognize me. I looked in the dining area and didn't see anyone with a small child.........
So I waited by the fountain for a few minutes....I scoured the crowd. I had my LGMH prominently displayed on my camera case. I stuck my tongue out hoping for someone to recognize me......
I went back up to the podium area and checked again.....It was about 5:20pm and I finally decided to pack it in......I was bummed because after 8 days I still had only met 1 DISer and that was at the beginning of my trip......
So with my Asian head hung low, I made my way to the Italy Pavilion....
I made it over to the Italy Pavilion with plenty of time to spare. So I just sat on a bench and enjoyed the view. I don't think there's anything better than just sitting on a bench at WDW and people watching....
Here's the view from the bench:
At a bit past 5:45pm, everyone walked up. I had gotten a bit antzy as I have a thing about being on time or early for ADRs....we walked up to hear 2 parties getting turned away from the podium. However, just as an FYI, the patio is walk up only. So if you see the patio with empty tables, you may be able to snag a table w/o an ADR. This info is compliments of TGJ (Tour Guide Jordan)
We had a short wait so I snapped these now familiar pix:
We got seated and our server Sylvia and our busboy, Alberto, came right over and introduced themselves and brought water and bread....I'll just have to say the service we received was excellent. Both Sylvia and Alberto were on top of everything....
Sylvia and Erin seemed to hit it off right away....Sylvia had taken her roommate's nametag by mistake.
Here's a view of the restaurant from our table:
Wall painting above our table:
Menu:
Waiting for our food:
Dylan learning early....
Josh, Robo and Baby J (J's got the tongue going...oh oh..am I setting a bad example....?....sorry Joshie and Robo....)
Our food comes:
Derek's Tortellini:
Kim's Canneloni:
My pesto before:
My pesto after (I had tabasco on my pesto):
Dessert:
My tiramisu:
We had a great meal there and the service made it even better.....but the best part of our time there was Erin's interaction with Sylvia. Every time Sylvia came to the table, Erin would engage in conversation. By the end of the meal Erin took the crayons provided for her and made a Valentine for Sylvia. When Sylvia got the Valentine, she actually started crying a bit.....
Sylvia was actually very touched
I loved those moments. I have them seared into my memory because I know it's one of the times with Erin that may never happen again.....I love her soooooo much.....
With that our meal was over....and then my phone rang....
Next up: Touring the World.....and.....perhaps a meet?
Click here for next installment.