"Life itself is the proper binge" - Update 4/6 - Kona & Captain Cook's

[Dis_Yoda]

Great review of Fultons, it's on my list for the fall, and I can't wait to try it!

I hope you love it as much as we did! We're in the middle of a debate of what we are going to do for October but this is one of two places my husband thinks we MUST do.

Gosh, those are some skimpy seafood portions at Fultons!

I didn't find it too skimpy. I left feeling full but not overstuffed. My husband's crab had a ton of meat inside of its shell.

I just found your reviews and will go back to read them all. I just wanted to say that I loved your review of Fulton's. It is one of our favorite restaurants. And I'm so glad your DH decided he likes ALL crab. Be sure he gets the King Crab Claws next time--they are to die for.

Thanks for finding this report! I'm going to try to get him to do the King Crab Claws next time since I'm sure he will love it.

Fulton's is one of my favorite places, glad y'all enjoyed it!

Glad you love it too! It always seemed to get such varying reviews on the Dis but I'm glad I finally tried it

You ordered the donuts for dessert at Jiko! You are my hero!!!

Glad your regular dinner turned out so well ... I will never forget what you wrote about the signature dinner there so I'm happy that you had a good experience this time.

Those donuts are so good! I also love how they are served with coffee ice cream b/c what goes better with donuts than coffee?

My husband was very nervous about going to dinner here after that event. I may have had to beg/whine/etc a little to get him to try the normal place but I'm glad it worked out!

I could go for those Jiko donuts and the crab from Fultons...oh man I am starving now!

I know right? Looking at the food just makes me more hungry & I'm 2 hours away from lunch & my special K bar just isn't cutting it at the moment.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Looking at the food just makes me more hungry & I'm 2 hours away from lunch & my special K bar just isn't cutting it at the moment.

LOL I'm literally eating a Special K bar right now and it SO doesn't cut it

Did you ever hear back from Israel?

Fulton's looked fantastic btw! Might have to try and fit it in for March

 

[GirlfromTN]

Gosh, those are some skimpy seafood portions at Fultons!

Completely agree - $24 for 6 medium sized shrimp and 2 pieces of broccoli? That might be the worst value I've ever seen at WDW.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

LOL I'm literally eating a Special K bar right now and it SO doesn't cut it

Did you ever hear back from Israel?

Fulton's looked fantastic btw! Might have to try and fit it in for March

But at least the Special K Bars are better than like cornflakes

No I never did but chances are with the reply I got, he probably thinks its covered.

You should definitely see if you can get it in for March or for your F&W trip!

Completely agree - $24 for 6 medium sized shrimp and 2 pieces of broccoli? That might be the worst value I've ever seen at WDW.

At Disney prices seem to run higher than usual anyway. I mean even my local seafood place gives me 8 Shrimp for $18 but thats also b/c we don't leave too near a coast. At home I would be upset but at Disney not really. I mean - my husband's filet at Jiko was $41 which $15 more than the highest rated restaurant in my current town.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 2 - Evening Cocktails

Tambu Lounge​

Later on that evening, my ankle was hurting so we decided to go to the store to get some advil & an ace bandage. Upon going upstairs, the Tambu Lounge starting calling to us

"Yes, you want more alcohol."

We gave into temptation & brought them back to the room.

I enjoyed the Lapu Lapu - $12.75
My husband enjoyed Sunken Treasure - $9.75

Both of these hit our alcohol spot for the evening!

Lounge Cost: 22.71
Total Cost to Date: 286.81

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 3 - Breakfast

Captain Cook's ​

Once we woke up this morning, we headed to Captain Cook's before getting to Hollywood Studios for lunch.​

My husband enjoyed Breakfast Platter - $6.29 while I enjoyed Tonga Toast w/ Bacon - $6.19 w/ a Powerade - $2.89 to share.​

This was a decent breakfast. I enjoy Tonga Toast but at $6 I don't feel as guilty not being able to finish it as I do when I enjoy it at Kona since I really just like the pieces with the banana in it. The bacon was on the crispy side which is as good as it can get for Disney bacon. My husband said his eggs were fresh and his potatos tasty & thats all he cared about.​

Meal: $16.37
Total Cost: $303.18​

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 3 - Lunch

Bahama Breeze​

After a morning at Hollywood Studios, my ankle was not liking having just a wrap on it. My husband decided to see where the nearest drug store was close to the parks & eating lunch around there rather than having lunch at Sci-Fi like originally planned.

On the way to Walgreens, we decided to try Bamaha Breeze figuring why not?

We were quickly seated in our wicker furniture.

I started the meal with a nice alcoholic beverage an Almond Breeze

It was a light & refreshing drink.

For my entree I ended up getting the Grilled Shrimp Flatbread w/ Caesar Salad Combo

It was a huge portion for the price! The caesar was ok but the flatbread was pretty good!

My husband was boring & went with the Bacon Cheeseburger

He said it was better than what they have been serving at Disney CS & that he was happy!

We decided on not getting a dessert as we could pick something up at Walgreens if we really wanted something.

Overall, it was a decent meal. Would we return? Maybe. I don't like trekking outside Disney property much during Disney trips as I find it was too tourist trappy & reminds me of the world I want to be secluded from during vacations.

Meal: $31
Total Cost to Date: $334.18​

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 3 - Dinner

Ohana​

My husband this evening reminded me about this thing called the Super Bowl he wanted to enjoy. There weren't any ADRs left for the Monorail loop restaurants, so I decided to be a bit crazy and try for Ohana as my husband wanted meat and what better place to get lots of meat?

While I was checking in w/ the insanely long line seeing if we could get in, my husband enjoyed a drink at the Tambu Lounge, a Malibu Macaw that I never got to see or taste as he downed it quickly. I'll assume it was excellent with how quickly it went away.

Alcohol: $10
Total Cost: $344.18

At the podium, I was told we were able to walk in & given a pager. Within 10 minutes we were buzzed and shown to our table. We were seated right next to the window overlooking the Castle

As we were being seated we were given our pineapple bread

Our waiter introduced himself to us & I ordered a Backscratcher

I love this drink!

We shortly were served our Salad w/ Honey Lime Dressing

I enjoy this salad. My husband thought it was a little sweet for a salad but liked it ok.

Very quickly, we were given our next courses: Pork Potstickers & Chicken Wings

These two things are a stars of the food here. I really like the potstickers in the peanut sauce. The Chicken Wings are messy but decent.

After being given a few minutes to enjoy our appetizers, we were served the side dishes for the meat. Noodles & Broccoli

My husband's favorite part of the meal was the broccoli & I think he ate all of what we were served.

I like the noodles enough but I didn't really want to eat much of them.

After we were served these, they started coming around with the sticks of meat.

<insert picture of dirty plates w/ meat on them</>

We loved our Shrimp & Turkey. The pork was dry & the sirloin was fatty.

After we couldn't eat anymore, we were served the Bread Pudding

We only ate the ice cream.

I was disappointed there was only 1 banana slice in the whole foster sauce but it was good on the ice cream!

We were ok with our meal. It was better than a dinner we had at Kona a couple years ago. I don't really see us going back to Ohana at dinner unless we're at the Polynesian and need a decent dinner. It was only a couple dollars less than our much better meal at Fulton's.

Meal:$73.51
Total Cost: $417.69

 

[PinkTink63]

Day 3 - Lunch

Bahama Breeze​

After a morning at Hollywood Studios, my ankle was not liking having just a wrap on it. My husband decided to see where the nearest drug store was close to the parks & eating lunch around there rather than having lunch at Sci-Fi like originally planned.

On the way to Walgreens, we decided to try Bamaha Breeze figuring why not?

We were quickly seated in our wicker furniture.

I started the meal with a nice alcoholic beverage an Almond Breeze

It was a light & refreshing drink.

For my entree I ended up getting the Grilled Shrimp Flatbread w/ Caesar Salad Combo

It was a huge portion for the price! The caesar was ok but the flatbread was pretty good!

My husband was boring & went with the Bacon Cheeseburger

He said it was better than what they have been serving at Disney CS & that he was happy!

We decided on not getting a dessert as we could pick something up at Walgreens if we really wanted something.

Overall, it was a decent meal. Would we return? Maybe. I don't like trekking outside Disney property much during Disney trips as I find it was too tourist trappy & reminds me of the world I want to be secluded from during vacations.

Meal: $31
Total Cost to Date: $334.18​

We LOVE this place and now have to go there ever trip to WDW! DS always gets the ribs with their special lemonade. The Jerk Chicken Pasta and the Wood Grilled Chicken Breast with citrus butter sauce is also really good, but I have to tell you that you really missed out on a delicious dessert...The Chocolate Island is to die for!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

We LOVE this place and now have to go there ever trip to WDW! DS always gets the ribs with their special lemonade. The Jerk Chicken Pasta and the Wood Grilled Chicken Breast with citrus butter sauce is also really good, but I have to tell you that you really missed out on a delicious dessert...The Chocolate Island is to die for!!!

Oh both of those sound good too! There was a lot on the menu that sounded good. Maybe when we do our Universal Trip for Hogwarts in 2011 or late this year, we'll stop back by.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 3 - Late Night Snack

Cosmic Ray's​

While my husband enjoyed the Super Bowl back in the room, I decided to take advantage of the lower crowds in the Magic Kingdom & headed over to do the things I know my husband isn't a big fan of - aka - the show type attractions.

Around 10pm, I wanted a small snack from having eaten dinner so early.

I decided to get a Side of Fries - $2.49 from Cosmic Ray's as I knew I could get some cheese sauce from their topping bar & it was the closest CS restaurant to me.

A decent snack for the parks & just enough to not make me feel overly full!

Snack: $2.66
Total Cost: $420.35​

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4 - Breakfast

Ohana
​

Breakfast this morning was scheduled for opening at Ohana. I got in line about 15 minutes before they opened & was among the first in line. Within seconds after their opening at 7:30am - we were buzzed and seated next to the window overlooking the marina.

We began with the yummy Pineapple Bread & Cinnamon Rolls

I love both of these breads! And we quickly ate most of the Cinnamon Bread before our next course & delicious juice arrived:

Fruit!​

It was fresh & you could tell. The pineapple was just the right amount of sweet vs. tart. The melons were fresh and sweet.

As if that wasn't enough food, they shortly brought out the skillet!

Biscuits, Eggs, Waffles, Potatoes, Bacon & Sausage!

My husband went to quick work on the potatoes and eggs. I didn't get a single bite! I enjoyed a mickey waffle, bacon & the biscuits. By the time we emptied the first skillet, we were both stuffed and couldn't ask for seconds!

However, Disney had more for us as it was our anniversary trip:

We ended up boxing it up & taking it to the room to eat later as we just couldn't force ourselves to have any more food.

We love breakfast here! The character interaction was great even for it being just us two adults. Pluto was really in character with acting like a dog & it was cute to watch him play with the children and wanting to get patted on the head. Stitch was awesome like usual too!

We'll continue to return for breakfast. We enjoy it so much more than the dinner.

Meal: $43.33
Total Cost: $463.65
​

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4 - Lunch

Columbia Harbor House
​

After our breakfast at Ohana, we hustled to the Magic Kingdom for our 9AM Keys to the Kingdom Tour, where we walked a lot and learned a lot. In the middle of the tour before you get to go in the tunnels, you stop for lunch at Columbia Harbor House. We had picked out the item wanted when we checked in for the tour & were taken to the upstairs area where our food was waiting for us.

My husband enjoyed:
Chicken Nuggets w/ Fries​

He thought these were just ok. He ate all the fries and half of the chicken. He isn't the biggest fan of the Chicken Nuggets at Disney in general.

I had:
Fried Shrimp w/ Fries​

To me these were basic fast food fried shrimp. Nothing bad but not amazing. (The old fried shrimp appetizer from Narcoossee's is AMAZING fried shrimp or even the rock shrimp included in the salad at California Grill)

It did the job of fueling us for the rest of the tour.​

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4: Afternoon Snack

Main Street Sweets​

When we finished with our tour, I wanted something sweet.

I picked up a White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup - $3.95 to enjoy when we got back to the room.

I really liked these! The peanut butter was smoother than that of a reese's.


Snack: $4.23
Total to Date: $467.88

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4: Dinner

Victoria & Albert's Part 1​

This is the review thats going to be the hardest for me to write & will probably be in a few parts. Before, I used to love V&A and have never had a bad meal here. But something was off.

The pacing for the meal was at 2.5 hours in comparison to the 4 hours it was supposed to be.

Some courses weren't explained to us.

They now offer upcharges for coffee if you would like to spend even more money at the table.

They served the same thing to both my husband and myself so the sampling we loved the last time we were there has been taken away.

The way we were treated by the staff when I ended up ill also wasn't something that I would have thought could happen at a place like V&A.

I did address my concerns to the manager & Disney upper management & do feel it was addressed beyond what I would have expected.

I can't rate the experience that comes w/ V&A, as I'm still not sure if I want to return as I've read about other's Chef Table experiences this year that haven't been to the level those that love it expected; however, I will just talk about the food.

The evening started with the traditional glass of champagne.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut, Reims

Amuse Bouche

From left to right on the main plate:
Soft poached Quail Egg w/ Galilee Caviar, Crispy Buffalo Mozzarella, Popcorn Crusted Day Boat Scallop
Separate Plate:
Smoked Salmon Panna Cotta w/ Salmon Caviar

The quail egg was alright. My husband enjoyed it more than I did but he's a big egg eater where as I'm not.

The crispy buffalo mozzarella is by far the best fried cheese I've ever tasted. It was over the tomato sauce that was subtle but flavorful.

The slice of scallop melted in your mouth and full of flavor. Seeing the two slices we got, I can only imagine how big the scallop it comes from is.

The panna cotta was told to us that it gets a presentation in the Queen Victoria Room but that we just get to eat it. I enjoyed it but it wasn't the star of the plate.

Overall the mozzarella & scallop were the stars with the other two being good.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4: V&A Chef Table Part 2

Bread

The glorious french bread from the pastry chef. Always has been amazing - I could eat a dozen of these & still want more.

Course 1

Caviar Tin w/ Peekytoe Crab w/ Grman Osetra Caviar & Petit Herbs
Paired with Mery Edwards Sauvignon Blanc, RUsian River Valley 2008

This crab salad was very good. I loved its presentation.

Course 2

Cold "Smoked" Niman Ranch Lamb w/ Fuji Apple & Curry Dressing
Paired with Kabinett Maimin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling, Mosel 2007

When this was served, something was poured on top to provide the fog as seen in the picture. The fugi apple was really good with the curry dressing along with the Lamb that was tender.

Course 3

John Dory w/ Spinach & Bulgarian Caviar Beurre Blanc
Paired w/ Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Russian River 2005.

This is the current upgrade fish course on the day we were dining there. It had the Meyers Lemon within the sauce.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4: V&A Chef Table Part 3

Bread - Take 2

Black Truffle Brioche

Seasoning Salts

Course 4

Vermont Squab w/ Root Vegetable Flan & Pomegranate Jus Paired w/
Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf de Pape, Rhone 2005

Course 5

Minnesota Elk Tenderloin w/ Braised Red Cabbage Tart paired w/
Familia Schroeder "S" Pinot Noir, Malbec, Patagonia 2004

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Day 4: V&A Chef Table Part 2

Bread

The glorious french bread from the pastry chef. Always has been amazing - I could eat a dozen of these & still want more.

That bread is divine, can't wait to have it again!

Course 1

Caviar Tin w/ Peekytoe Crab w/ Grman Osetra Caviar & Petit Herbs
Paired with Mery Edwards Sauvignon Blanc, RUsian River Valley 2008

This crab salad was very good. I loved its presentation.

Oh this presentation is so pretty! I'd love it if they had this item on the main dining room menu.

Course 2

Cold "Smoked" Niman Ranch Lamb w/ Fuji Apple & Curry Dressing
Paired with Kabinett Maimin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling, Mosel 2007

When this was served, something was poured on top to provide the fog as seen in the picture. The fugi apple was really good with the curry dressing along with the Lamb that was tender.

I'm not a huge fan of curry, but I would bet that V&A makes perfect use of it as a compliment. I'd be open to trying it considering how much I love the tandoori butter at Jiko.

Course 3

John Dory w/ Spinach & Bulgarian Caviar Beurre Blanc
Paired w/ Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Russian River 2005.

This is the current upgrade fish course on the day we were dining there. It had the Meyers Lemon within the sauce.

This course looks good, but I know you love the abalone, too bad the upgrade was John Dory this time.

Day 4: V&A Chef Table Part 3

Bread - Take 2

Black Truffle Brioche

I'm dying to try this! I loved the herb brioche from September, but the truffle just sounds soooo indulgent!

Seasoning Salts

I have to remember to ask about these! I've seen a few people receive the seasoning salts in the main dining room and I love trying different types of salt.

Course 4

Vermont Squab w/ Root Vegetable Flan & Pomegranate Jus Paired w/
Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf de Pape, Rhone 2005

Course 5

Minnesota Elk Tenderloin w/ Braised Red Cabbage Tart paired w/
Familia Schroeder "S" Pinot Noir, Malbec, Patagonia 2004

It definitely looks as though the menu items are earthier than the September menu, here's hoping for some similar courses on March 25th!

The food looks fantastic, but I can see why you would be disappointed by you and your DH receiving the same courses - ordering differently and sharing is part of the fun of V&A!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 4: V&A Chef Table Part 4

Bread - Phase 3

The hearty multigrain bread.

Course 6:

Japanese Wagyu Beef Tenderloin w/ Oxtail Jus paired w/ Torres "Perpetual Salmos", Priorat 2005.

An Option to Upgrade!

After we took our last bite of the beef, they presented us with this menu for options to upgrade our coffee. Seeing as they had already increased the price of the meal from $165 to $200 - we declined on spending more money.

Course 7

As there was no one in the Queen Victoria Room this evening, we were presented with the Spaulted Maple Tray that is demo'd to them.

We selected the cheeses we would like (aka no blue cheese)

My plate[/b]
Paired w/ Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2002

Husband's Plate[/b]

We both enjoyed the various cheeses we had that for the life of me I can not remember at this time.

Free Coffee! (well no upcharge)

Course 8

Green Apple Mousse w/ Hazelnut Cookies paired w/ Paolo Saracco Moscato D'Asti, Piedmont 207

Course 9

Tanzanie Chocolate Mousse, Peruvian Chocolate Soup, and White Chocolate Gelato

The chocolate soup is the most vile thing I've tasted as it was like taking a sip of pure salt. I'm used to eating bitter chocolate but this was beyond that.

The chocolate mousse and gelato were tasty, although boring as I've had them in the main dining room countless times.

Celebes

Well I have no pictures & can't review them as I never ate them.

I'm not including the cost of this meal in the total to date

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Day 5: Breakfast

Captain Cook's​

Waking up this morning, I still didn't feel all together there. My husband & I were fighting a bit as he gets upset when embarrassed in public. He said he wasn't leaving the hotel room today and thus I went to breakfast alone.

I wanted something plain on my stomach so I went with :

Mickey Waffle w/ Bacon - $5.69 & a Vitamin Water $2.99

It was nice and fresh & just what I needed!

Cost: $9.25
Total to Date: $477.13

Main Street Snacks​

Originally our plan for the day was togo to Animal Kingdom. After breakfast, I went back to the room to get my sweater & my husband said he'll leave the room if we go to Magic Kingdom. Fine w/ me!

After doing some rides, we wanted something sweet & got a
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup - $3.95 to share.

Excellent!

Cost: 4.23
Total to Date: $481.36