When last we left our daring duo, they were hungry.
So hungry that they decided they couldn't prolong the inevitable, and took the plunge to check in early.
What I didn't realize, having not been there in years, is that the check in area for the California Grill is actually downstairs. Tink, having dined there in the recent past, was able to lead me to the correct area.
I would have to say, one of the things that really put me over the edge (of hunger) was when we were walking through the shops on the main concourse, and they have a new area with all the baked goods/candies/treats. I was starving, and once I saw those I knew we needed to eat soon before I caved!
So, we checked in at the podium, and were graciously escorted upstairs. For those of you who don't know, a CM will take you by elevator to the California Grill, and they make polite chitchat with you the whole way. Very, very nice start (and end) to the evening.
I remember waking in and feeling like I'd come home. I hadn't been to the California Grill in years. The last time was probably before I had my son, and with Mom and Nana. We used to go there all the time (even if we weren't having dinner) to have cocktails and enjoy that incredible view.
I think the view literally took my breath away. It had been so long since I'd seen it, I believe I may have even said to Tink, "I'd forgotten." Very wistful, all of a sudden, I'd forgotten how beautiful it was. And is it amazing that something you've done so many times before, but hadn't visited in so long, that you're visiting with someone new, can still take your breath away? I had a lot of moments like that on this trip, and I think of them fondly even now.
Disney is a place of memories for me. So many memories. I sent Tink an e-mail before we left about how special she was to me. About how now, she would be part of that collective Disney memory, how she would be a person that I would think of now whenever I thought of certain places. And it's true. When I see certain things now, they always make me think of Tink. I'll be getting to one of those later, most likely the next chapter.
We seated ourselves in the lounge area, waiting for our table to be ready. I would have to say we probably sat for about 15 minutes. Not too long, and we just chatted, and were also silent some times, just enjoying our relaxation. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the view, and that was lovely.
Ah, Tink! I did take good notes. Our waiter's name was Steven!!!!
(We were just debating this the other day.
)
We were finally seated, and here were our views from our table.
Tink's-
Mine-
Quite fitting, I think.
Now, I won't lie here. I'm not as good at food reviews as Tink is. But I shall do my best. Before we begin, here we are brandishing our birthday buttons.
We begin, of course, with the bread basket, and a perusal of the menus. We do have photos of the menu (which may have changed by now) but I'll include those in a seperate post since they really need to be enlarged.
Well, the menu was totally different from what had been posted on the internet, and that threw me for a loop. Pretty much everything Tink knew she wanted was there, and everything I thought I might get was not.
I was not dismayed however, just amused, and pleased that I had new choices. Albeit a little perplexed as to what to get.
We did however, know one thing, and that was the type of wine. I let Tink order for me, it was a Riesling she'd had on a previous trip that she'd just loved. We each got a glass, but not before Steven carded us!
Bless him. I should add right here and now that Steven was an amazing waiter, that we had amazing food, an amazing atmosphere and this dinner really couldn't have been better.
When something you've been planning for months goes that well, it's such a pleasure.
I finally was able to make some choices, and out came our appetizers.
Tink had the goat cheese ravioli, which I had a taste of. It was lovely, absolutely lovely. I can see why she likes it so much. Rich, creamy, and smooth, a perfect bit of pasta with a nice broth, not a heavy sauce. Here's Allears' description: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli - with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, shiitake mushrooms and basil
I had this delightful salad which came drizzled with an eight year old balsamic. I was in heaven. It had wonderful flavor. I can't unfortunately remember everything that was in it, but it was very, very nice. And the description of mine - Marinated Spring Vegetable Salad - with Artichokes, Asparagus, Pastel Radish, Goat Cheese, 8 year old Balsamic
For our main course:
This is Tink's. Seared Pork Tenderloin - with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze - I know this was like heaven for Tink. She absolutely loved this dish.
This is mine. Duo of Lamb T-Bone - Marble Potatoes, Fiddleheads, Chic Peas, Salsa Verde, Spring Vegetable Vinaigrette - This was amazing. The meat was very tender, very well prepared, and delicious. The only issue I had with it, which was quite a small issue was that it was difficult to seperate the meat from the bone with the knife I had. I love fiddleheads, and haven't seen them on a menu in ages, so that was a real treat for me.
Now the only problem with my dish is that it's swimming...drowning in butter. And I didn't realize it would be. And the older I get, the more lactose intolerant I get. So I did my best to not soak everything in butter, but still enjoy my meal. You will hear more about this later, but for now, let's run with the fact that I enjoyed it at the time!
Almost stuffed, but having saved room for dessert, we plunged ahead!
Now, here's where the year of celebrations comes into play. Not only did we both receive birthday cards from our waiter, our desserts were birthday-ified as well. In addition, while we were enjoying our dessert, one of the managers stopped by to ask how we liked our meal, to wish us a happy birthday, basically your pleasant talk that is so enjoyable.
In addition to ordering dessert, I also got a nice cup of chamomile tea. It does wonders for settling the stomach after a hearty meal, and I definitely appreciate its soothing qualities. Judging by the picture of Tink's dessert, she got something as well, whether tea or coffee, I'm not sure.
Without further ado, here are our desserts:
Tink had the Trio of Temptation - (no sugar added) Cheesecake with Pistachio Cookie and Chocolate Banana Sauce, White Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Puree, and Florida Strawberries with Mojito "Sabyon". I have to say, I tasted some of the mojito sabyon, and it was AMAZING!!!! Now I know she wasn't enamored with all of this, and definitely had her favorites. Hopefully she can weigh in on that, because I don't remember which was which!
I had the Blueberry & Lemon - Blueberry Clafoutis with Salted Blueberry Caramel Sauce, Lemon Sorbet, and Pistachio Cookie. It was a nice, light way to end my meal. I would have to say my favorite part of this was the lemon sorbet and the pistachio cookie. I expected a hard cookie, and it was nice and soft, very flavorful.
And Tink and I joked that we would have to ask our waiter how to pronounce Clafoutis, so we could recreate it phoenetically on the DIS.
Klah - Foo - Tee -
We enjoyed saying that word for the rest of the night, let me tell you.
Now for you observant folks, you may have noticed how dark the skies are in my photos of our views.
Up next - Our Biblical Departure
You find such lovely things there. I think I may make a trip today!! That dress is very cute! 
I love baths.
