Insanity Vol 3: F&W TIW Sneak Preview Report - 7/24 TIW Event Plated Dinner

[Dis_Yoda]

When: July 15th to July 17th, 2011
Who: Dis_Yoda

The Background:
Back on June 16th, I had an email from Tables in Wonderland listing the special events for the month of June. One was for a Sunday Champagne Brunch at Narcoossee's on July 10th, another was for a Food & Wine Festival Sneak Peak on July 16th. Both of them interested me but with talking with my husband that night, I knew it would be better for me to go to the event on July 16th. As I have any non-committed vacation time for the rest of the year, it could only be a short weekend trip & having a ton of champagne on a day I would need to drive home is not a wise choice. I emailed TIW expressing interest in F&W Event dinner but as it was already 24 hours after it was announced before I sent in my interest, I had no idea I would get in.

Imagine my surprise on June 24th when I got a phone call stating I got in. Now came the time to let my husband know I actually got in. I had just been to Disney in May with a girl friend of mine the week before he left for a week long business trip. For this trip, I'm leaving as he's returning from another business trip. At least our dogs won't have to be boarded as the timing is just right.

I started looking at hotels and seeing what was available for the passholder discounts for July 15th and 16th. The cheapest room available for a Disney owned property was $125 for a perferred room at Disney's Pop Century with non of the other values available. Pop is my least favorite of the values and I didn't really want to spend $270ish after taxes and fees for my least favorite hotel. If it was the $64 rate that pops up every now and again, I have no problem staying there then but not for that much money. On a whim, I decided to check out the rates for the Dolphin/Swan during my trip & they were at $139 a night. Once you include all the various fees - it worked out to be $335 total. After some debate (and a facebook poll among my Disney friends), I decided on the Dolphin.


The Plan:

Friday July 15th, 2011
Flying Fish
Boardwalk Wanderings​

Saturday July 16th, 2011
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Le Cellier
Karamell-Kuche & Random Candy
F&W Sneak Preview Event Reception
F&W Sneak Preview Event Plated Dinner ​

Sunday July 17th, 2011
Breakfast​

 

[MickeyNicki]

Sounds like alot of fun! Hmmm..lets see, the Dolphin or POP...no contest, DOLPHIN!!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Sounds like a fun trip. Can't wait to hear about the sneak preview. We area hoping to go to the F&WF again this year after doing it for the first time last year. Turns out my DD11 really enjoyed it! She loved being able to sample the foods around the World. Her fav was Morocco.

 

[kabuki]

We went for the sneak peak last year! Have fun.. and we can't wait to hear about it!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Sounds like alot of fun! Hmmm..lets see, the Dolphin or POP...no contest, DOLPHIN!!!!

Yeah it really wasn't once I saw the price difference. Super easy to justify that cost!

Sounds like a fun trip. Can't wait to hear about the sneak preview. We area hoping to go to the F&WF again this year after doing it for the first time last year. Turns out my DD11 really enjoyed it! She loved being able to sample the foods around the World. Her fav was Morocco.

Thanks for joining in. I'm excited for the sneak peak and lucky it was on a day I could actually go. I started my love of the F&W young too as my parents took me when it started. Hopefully you get to go again this year!

We went for the sneak peak last year! Have fun.. and we can't wait to hear about it!

I hope to get out the info that night once I get back to the room that night.
Hopefully our sneak peak is as good as the one you went to.

 

[kabuki]

I hope to get out the info that night once I get back to the room that night.
Hopefully our sneak peak is as good as the one you went to.

It will be - just fun to be the 1st and ask questions! Plus the food is more dolled up then what you will get at the booths in Oct. We would have done it again but our trip was already scheduled for a few days after! Have fun!

We are waiting with bells on! (and a glass of wine!)

 

[worm761]

Can't wait. I have been trying to get to Food and Wine Fest for three years. I am really hoping that the third time is the charm!

There are pictures to go along with the report, right?

 

[vettegirl]

That is a great rate for the Dolphin. I have never stayed there but the locations cannot be beat.

 

[TigerKat]

Have fun!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

It will be - just fun to be the 1st and ask questions! Plus the food is more dolled up then what you will get at the booths in Oct. We would have done it again but our trip was already scheduled for a few days after! Have fun!

We are waiting with bells on! (and a glass of wine!)

Yeah I can't wait. I'm definitely excited for the more dolled up versions and am ready for the note taking on all the info given

Can't wait. I have been trying to get to Food and Wine Fest for three years. I am really hoping that the third time is the charm!

There are pictures to go along with the report, right?

I hope that the 3rd time is the charm for you too! There will be lots of pictures for this trip. Getting my camera all charged and ready as we speak!

That is a great rate for the Dolphin. I have never stayed there but the locations cannot be beat.

Yeah I'm really excited for staying there for the first time as an adult (I went before as a child but can't really judge a resort from that)

Have fun!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

I can't wait to share all about it!

 

[kabuki]

All Ears ( I just posed the link on the Food and wine info page) has a couple things you will be having TOMORROW!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

All Ears ( I just posed the link on the Food and wine info page) has a couple things you will be having TOMORROW!

Oh thanks for the info! I'm so excited.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Flying Fish​

Originally I had planned on going to Narcoossee's and enjoying Magic Kingdom's Extra Magic Hours. Well, those plans changed. I had a friend I knew that wanted to drive up and hang out this evening & since the demise of Pleasure Island, the only slightly decent adult places to hang out for late night fun are Jellyrolls or Kiminos or heading over to CityWalk. Knowing I would be heading to Jellyrolls around 9pm, I decided to stick to dinner in the Boardwalk area. Originally I had hoped to arrive around 6pm but between work and stalled traffic on the turnpike that didn't happen. I was lucky to be able to change my reservation from 7:00 to 7:50pm with no problem.

I arrived right at 7:50pm and was greeted by wonderful friendly hostesses and was quickly seated at the open dining counter in front of the pasta action station. Curly, my server, quickly introduced himself, and took my drink order. Having had worked a full day and driven, it was time to indulge in an adult beverage (or two) and I went with the silliest drink they offered as I knew I would be drinking more this evening and I rather stick to just liquor rather than mix wine and liquor.

Cotton Candy Martini

Seriously amazing! Its rather sweet but I needed the sugar to give me some energy. It made me feel silly to have rock candy in my drink but it fit well.

At the same time, he brought out my multigrain bread and took my order.

I was being slightly difficult this evening as I really wanted the risotto from the scallop dish but I really hate scallops. Luckily it wasn't a problem for the chefs! I was able to switch out the scallops for shrimp.

Mmmm, fresh out of the oven bread.

While waiting on my entree and enjoying my bread, I finished my first martini. As it was really sweet, I didn't want another one of the same. I told my server Curly to surprise me and he said he didn't always like changing liquors on people but on my assurance that its ok as long as its liquor based, he told me he had something perfect!

Blood Orange Margarita

It fit my mood this evening well.

As my seat was right next to the pasta station and oak grill, it was really fun seeing my meal as it was cooked and talking the chef that was making it.

Risotto w/ Shrimp

It was really good. The risotto was spot on in flavors with the tomatoes, artichokes and spinach. The shrimp was nicely seasoned from the oak grill.

As I finished my entree, it became time to pick my dessert. Having seen it in other reviews, I knew exactly what I was going for.

A Taste of the Boardwalk Trio

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie w/ Pound Cake Fries, Cherry Limeade Popsicle, Popcorn Mousse w/ Caramel Corn Brittle.

The popcorn mousse and caramel corn brittle was my favorite of the three. It seriously just reminded me of the amusement park as I ate it. I enjoyed about half of the Cherry Limeade but I was truly too full to fully enjoy it. Sadly as I was filled up, the Whoopie Pie didn't really get a fair chance to be enjoyed. The pound cake fries on top were great and crispy but I never tried the pie underneath. Maybe next time I'll get to try to enjoy it!


Overall, Flying Fish was outstanding. My server was on the ball in terms of recommendations and alcoholic choices and service level. I definitely will return again come our October Trip!

 

[Koda Bear]

DD & I are eating at FF for the first time in September on our first night in DW - just texted her a picture of your cotton candy martini because I know that will be on her need to get list while we are there!. The dessert trio is already on my list - can't wait for that!!!!!!!! Great review!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Glad your trip is off to such a yummy start. Can't wait for more on the sneak peek!

 

[vinotinto]

That "Taste of Boardwalk" is just too whimsical and cute! I must leave room for dessert at FF.

Sounds like the drive was stressful. That's the part my DH hates the most - the 7 hour drive. Last time we made it in 6.5 hours, but if we encounter any traffic, it turns into more than 7. Plus, there were cops at Putnam Co., Adel, and Tifton.

Looking forward to the rest of the reviews!

 

[kabuki]

One of our FAVORITE places and I love the counter!

My husband wants that dessert - I hope it's the same in a week or so!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

DD & I are eating at FF for the first time in September on our first night in DW - just texted her a picture of your cotton candy martini because I know that will be on her need to get list while we are there!. The dessert trio is already on my list - can't wait for that!!!!!!!! Great review!!

Oh you'll love Flying Fish. Its so good. The cotton candy martini is amazing, your wife will love it!!!

Glad your trip is off to such a yummy start. Can't wait for more on the sneak peek!

It was really a great yummy start!

That "Taste of Boardwalk" is just too whimsical and cute! I must leave room for dessert at FF.

Sounds like the drive was stressful. That's the part my DH hates the most - the 7 hour drive. Last time we made it in 6.5 hours, but if we encounter any traffic, it turns into more than 7. Plus, there were cops at Putnam Co., Adel, and Tifton.

Looking forward to the rest of the reviews!

I though the same thing even though I'm not the biggest fan of whoopie pies and cherry limeades the whole idea of the dessert just made me want to try it out! The drive was stressful more so because of the weather yesterday and the wrecks on the FL turnpike. I actually didn't see a huge amount of cops out on 75 but I was just following the traffic flow.

One of our FAVORITE places and I love the counter!

My husband wants that dessert - I hope it's the same in a week or so!

This was my first time at their counter and I loved it, especially when dining alone. I hope that dessert is still there for you too!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Boardwalk Wanderings​

As I finished my meal, my friend hadn't arrived yet so I decided to take a walk around the boardwalk to entertain myself.

First stop was Seashore Sweets:

Noticed some new candy that amused me.

I may end up buying it as it just reminds me of childhood.

I also noticed the creepy child chair looked touched up.

My friend arrived and we headed into Jellyrolls. We sat towards the back so that we could also talk and listen to the music at the same time.

I started feeling sleepy so I ordered a Red Bull & Vodka although it was more like a Rockstar & Vodka and not good at all, especially not for $10.

Next up was my standby bar drink of Jack & Coke and was made as I like it with more Jack than Coke.

The bar was a good time and I'm glad I went with a friend. I think I'll have my husband go with me in October and remember to bring some cash to tip them.

 

[MickeyNicki]

That looks like the perfect meal, from drinks to dessert!