First a Little Pomp & Circumstance,then a Whole Lot of Disney Dining! COMPLETE
- Thread starter jabead
- Start date
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
We haven't tried Kouzzina yet but the menu sounds yummy
I've seen some great reviews of breakfast there as well
Yes, it just so happens that I will be ending this Dining Report with a review of our breakfast at Kouzzina.
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
BACKGROUND: This was my 4th visit to Yachtsman in 18 months, so I guess I don't have to tell you that this is one of my favorite Disney restaurants. In fact, among my favorite Signature restaurants, YSH is currently second only to California Grill. For DD2 though, this was her very first time dining there so I was anxious to see how she would like our…
DINNER AT YACHTSMAN STEAKHOUSE - PART I
We were again seated in my favorite area of the restaurant, an alcove which overlooks Stormalong Bay (the Yacht & Beach Club pool).
Here are a few pictures taken from our table...
I really like the chandelier that hangs from the dome ceiling of this room.
We were then presented with this menu:
YSH Menu as of May 20, 2012
I began by ordering my usual beverage, which I always get here...
Iced Tea
I love that they serve the iced tea here with a small pitcher of simple syrup so that you can make your own sweet tea.
Next came another one of my YSH favorites…the onion pull-apart rolls.
Basket of Rolls (featuring the Onion Pull-Aparts) along with butter and roasted garlic
These are so delicious that they warrant a second, close-up shot.
For our shared appetizer, I really wanted to order the Braised Beef Tortellini. DD was all for it until she saw that the description included the words...Crispy Wild Mushrooms.
So she of course wanted no part of the Tortellini and instead suggested that we share this...
Assortment of Artisanal Cheeses served with Assorted Bread and Seasonal Accoutrements - $16.00
(Cheese Plate #5 of the Trip)
The included cheeses and seasonal accoutrements of this cheese plate were (starting to the right of the bread and moving clockwise): Rogue River Caveman Blue served with nothing???, Nancy Hudson Valley Camembert with pecan-mustard brittle, Beehive Cheese Co. SeeHive Cheddar with honeycomb, Le Grain d'Orge Affine au Calvados (a Normandy Camembert cheese washed with Calvados, a dry apple brandy that is also a product of Normandy) served with apple butter, and Vermont Creamery Bijou (which is a goat cheese that was served inside a jar of extra virgin olive oil, seasoned with peppercorns and thyme). Now as you may have noticed (from my consistent “Very Good" ratings), I am pretty easy to please when it comes to cheese plates. Give me a good blue cheese and a few other tasty cheeses, plus some decent crackers/bread/toasted baguette slices and I'm a pretty happy camper. Throw in some honey and any kind of fruit related item and I'm beyond happy.
So on paper, this cheese plate seemingly meets my criteria, right? 
Well, in reality this was the only cheese plate of the many that we had on this trip that disappointed me. While the first three cheeses that I've listed were all very good (except DD wouldn't eat the blue one, of course ), neither of us were crazy about the Camembert au Calvados. I think this was perhaps due to it being soaked in brandy??? 
However, that said, it was definitely not our least favorite cheese on this plate. That dishonor was bestowed upon the nasty glob of oily cheese in the jar. This cheese was so oil-soaked that all you could taste was olive oil; it totally overwhelmed any taste that the cheese might have had. YUCK! 
DD wouldn't even touch the stuff, making it two cheeses on the plate that she would not even taste. Now I could have maybe forgiven this and still enjoyed the cheese plate, if their "Assorted Bread" (as is listed on menu) had been more than one small wedge of stale bread and one thin Sesame Seed Rice Cracker-type thing. Both of which, we found to be about as useless as a back pocket on a t-shirt. 
So now you know why we gave this cheese plate a relatively low rating. I was tempted to even give it a Captain Hook, but I'm hoping this was just a temporary misstep on the part of YSH, as I have had two very good cheese plates there just in the last year.
Nov. 2011 Cheese Plate
May 2011 Cheese Plate
Okay, so enough with the cheese, let’s “MOO” ve on to the real reason that we were there. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist the urge.
)
But actually I will have to save both the steaks and dessert for Part II of this report because I have too many pictures/images to get them all into one. So please stay tuned to find out the answers to these three all-important questions:
1) Will YSH maintain its #1 position as serving my favorite Disney steak?
2) Will DD like her Yachtsman steak as much as the filet she had at California Grill?
and the most important question...
3) Will I ever be able to get the taste of that oily cheese out of my mouth?
NEXT UP: Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse – Part II
DINNER AT YACHTSMAN STEAKHOUSE - PART I
We were again seated in my favorite area of the restaurant, an alcove which overlooks Stormalong Bay (the Yacht & Beach Club pool).
Here are a few pictures taken from our table...
I really like the chandelier that hangs from the dome ceiling of this room.
We were then presented with this menu:
YSH Menu as of May 20, 2012
I began by ordering my usual beverage, which I always get here...
I love that they serve the iced tea here with a small pitcher of simple syrup so that you can make your own sweet tea.
Next came another one of my YSH favorites…the onion pull-apart rolls.
Basket of Rolls (featuring the Onion Pull-Aparts) along with butter and roasted garlic
These are so delicious that they warrant a second, close-up shot.
For our shared appetizer, I really wanted to order the Braised Beef Tortellini. DD was all for it until she saw that the description included the words...Crispy Wild Mushrooms.
So she of course wanted no part of the Tortellini and instead suggested that we share this...
(Cheese Plate #5 of the Trip)
The included cheeses and seasonal accoutrements of this cheese plate were (starting to the right of the bread and moving clockwise): Rogue River Caveman Blue served with nothing???, Nancy Hudson Valley Camembert with pecan-mustard brittle, Beehive Cheese Co. SeeHive Cheddar with honeycomb, Le Grain d'Orge Affine au Calvados (a Normandy Camembert cheese washed with Calvados, a dry apple brandy that is also a product of Normandy) served with apple butter, and Vermont Creamery Bijou (which is a goat cheese that was served inside a jar of extra virgin olive oil, seasoned with peppercorns and thyme). Now as you may have noticed (from my consistent “Very Good" ratings), I am pretty easy to please when it comes to cheese plates. Give me a good blue cheese and a few other tasty cheeses, plus some decent crackers/bread/toasted baguette slices and I'm a pretty happy camper. Throw in some honey and any kind of fruit related item and I'm beyond happy.
So on paper, this cheese plate seemingly meets my criteria, right? Well, in reality this was the only cheese plate of the many that we had on this trip that disappointed me. While the first three cheeses that I've listed were all very good (except DD wouldn't eat the blue one, of course ), neither of us were crazy about the Camembert au Calvados. I think this was perhaps due to it being soaked in brandy??? However, that said, it was definitely not our least favorite cheese on this plate. That dishonor was bestowed upon the nasty glob of oily cheese in the jar. This cheese was so oil-soaked that all you could taste was olive oil; it totally overwhelmed any taste that the cheese might have had. YUCK! DD wouldn't even touch the stuff, making it two cheeses on the plate that she would not even taste. Now I could have maybe forgiven this and still enjoyed the cheese plate, if their "Assorted Bread" (as is listed on menu) had been more than one small wedge of stale bread and one thin Sesame Seed Rice Cracker-type thing. Both of which, we found to be about as useless as a back pocket on a t-shirt. So now you know why we gave this cheese plate a relatively low rating. I was tempted to even give it a Captain Hook, but I'm hoping this was just a temporary misstep on the part of YSH, as I have had two very good cheese plates there just in the last year.
Nov. 2011 Cheese Plate
May 2011 Cheese Plate
Okay, so enough with the cheese, let’s “MOO” ve on to the real reason that we were there. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist the urge.
) But actually I will have to save both the steaks and dessert for Part II of this report because I have too many pictures/images to get them all into one. So please stay tuned to find out the answers to these three all-important questions:
1) Will YSH maintain its #1 position as serving my favorite Disney steak?
2) Will DD like her Yachtsman steak as much as the filet she had at California Grill?
and the most important question...
3) Will I ever be able to get the taste of that oily cheese out of my mouth?
NEXT UP: Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse – Part II
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
DINNER AT YACHTSMAN STEAKHOUSE - PART II
After a somewhat shaky start with the "Mr. Smee" Cheese Plate, we were both more than ready for a solidly good piece of beef and that is exactly what we got...
8-oz. Center Cut Filet Mignon with Cabernet Wine Sauce and served with Mashed Potatoes
We both ordered this, but her filet was ordered Medium while mine was Medium Well (mine is pictured above). Our steaks were both cooked perfectly as ordered and I'm happy to report that mine was delicious as usual. I have found that the steaks at YSH are always of a good quality and prepared well...with just the right amount of seasoning. And though I do not generally like Cabernet wine, for some reason I always really enjoy the wine sauce that is served with the Yachtsman filet. For me it perfectly complements the steak, without completely overshadowing the naturally good flavor of the beef. I was surprised to see that they had changed their mashed potatoes. They used to be mashed with their skins on and were quite tasty. However, now they are skinless and seemed creamier and very buttery. For DD and I, this new version was beyond tasty, they were absolutely delicious!
So for me, YSH came through once again and is still the reigning champion of the "Best Disney Steak" contest. Needless to say, my rating of of the Filet and Mashed Potatoes was "Excellent". For DD though, that wasn't quite the case. Although she did think her steak was "Very Good" (and she loved the mashed potatoes), her heart still belongs to the filet at California Grill.
However, since I am the one writing this review...the Yachtsman Filet and Mashed Potatoes most definitely gets a "Tinkerbell".
Okay that just leaves dessert, which we chose from this menu:
As I was happily looking over the dessert menu and daydreaming
about whether I should order the Creme Brulee (which I've had here before and enjoyed) or try something new like the Peanut Butter and Pretzel Gianduja Cake, I was suddenly jolted back to reality by these dreadful words..."Mom, I'm pretty full. Could we just skip dessert?" 
But do not fear, my friends, thanks to some quick thinking on my part, I WOULD HAVE MY DESSERT and EAT MOST OF IT TOO! 
And so, for our shared dessert we had...
The Yachtsman Sundae - Trio of Gelato (Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry) and Amarena Cherries, topped with Whipped Cream & Nuts.
You see folks, I know my daughter well. An offer to share the gelato dessert with her would be one offer that she could not possibly refuse. So although this dessert was not anything unusual or creative, it was surprisingly "Very Good". In fact, I might even consider getting it again next time.
So our overall rating for this meal was:
Very Good
We then continued our evening by first going to Epcot where we met up with DD1 and watched Illuminations...
And then park hopped over to DHS for the second showing of Fantasmic...
I had thoughts of going to Magic Kingdom for EMH from 12:00 - 3:00, just so I could say that I had finally been to all 4 parks in one day...but sadly at midnight this Disney Princess turned into a very tired Pumpkin.
NEXT UP: Breakfast at Sunshine Seasons
Ok, now I need to get over to DonaldDoleWhip's thread, 'cause I think he has started his reviews.
After a somewhat shaky start with the "Mr. Smee" Cheese Plate, we were both more than ready for a solidly good piece of beef and that is exactly what we got...
We both ordered this, but her filet was ordered Medium while mine was Medium Well (mine is pictured above). Our steaks were both cooked perfectly as ordered and I'm happy to report that mine was delicious as usual. I have found that the steaks at YSH are always of a good quality and prepared well...with just the right amount of seasoning. And though I do not generally like Cabernet wine, for some reason I always really enjoy the wine sauce that is served with the Yachtsman filet. For me it perfectly complements the steak, without completely overshadowing the naturally good flavor of the beef. I was surprised to see that they had changed their mashed potatoes. They used to be mashed with their skins on and were quite tasty. However, now they are skinless and seemed creamier and very buttery. For DD and I, this new version was beyond tasty, they were absolutely delicious!
So for me, YSH came through once again and is still the reigning champion of the "Best Disney Steak" contest. Needless to say, my rating of of the Filet and Mashed Potatoes was "Excellent". For DD though, that wasn't quite the case. Although she did think her steak was "Very Good" (and she loved the mashed potatoes), her heart still belongs to the filet at California Grill.
However, since I am the one writing this review...the Yachtsman Filet and Mashed Potatoes most definitely gets a "Tinkerbell".
Okay that just leaves dessert, which we chose from this menu:
As I was happily looking over the dessert menu and daydreaming
about whether I should order the Creme Brulee (which I've had here before and enjoyed) or try something new like the Peanut Butter and Pretzel Gianduja Cake, I was suddenly jolted back to reality by these dreadful words..."Mom, I'm pretty full. Could we just skip dessert?" But do not fear, my friends, thanks to some quick thinking on my part, I WOULD HAVE MY DESSERT and EAT MOST OF IT TOO! And so, for our shared dessert we had...
You see folks, I know my daughter well.
An offer to share the gelato dessert with her would be one offer that she could not possibly refuse. So although this dessert was not anything unusual or creative, it was surprisingly "Very Good". In fact, I might even consider getting it again next time. So our overall rating for this meal was:
We then continued our evening by first going to Epcot where we met up with DD1 and watched Illuminations...
And then park hopped over to DHS for the second showing of Fantasmic...
I had thoughts of going to Magic Kingdom for EMH from 12:00 - 3:00, just so I could say that I had finally been to all 4 parks in one day...but sadly at midnight this Disney Princess turned into a very tired Pumpkin.
NEXT UP: Breakfast at Sunshine Seasons
Ok, now I need to get over to DonaldDoleWhip's thread, 'cause I think he has started his reviews.
emmysmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2010
Not Citricos either - I have a feeling that our third night will be surprising in quite a few ways.
You can admit it here amongst friends, it was the pizza window right??
Unless you roasted marshmallows and watched a movie outside?? Hmmmm... you are fully of mystery and suspense!
Sorry Barb for interrupting your review. Actually, I haven't even made it to your review yet for which I am EXTREMELY excited to read....
DonaldDoleWhip
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
Oh boy - I can't wait to see where this Yachtsman review goes. I'm useless when it comes to fairly rating cheese plates (since so many of them feature a few goat and blue cheeses, which I sadly don't like). But I loved the SeaHive cheddar on that plate, and our multigrain bread wasn't stale (which would've definitely taken away from our enjoyment of it). You raise a great point - that is a rather sad-looking "assortment" of bread, so I hope the rest of the meal was much more satisfying.
I'm hoping that my reviews will convey the same sense of surprise and spontaneity that we experienced during the trip. The first day was completely straightforward, but from Day 2 onward the plans meant nothing.You can admit it here amongst friends, it was the pizza window right??
Unless you roasted marshmallows and watched a movie outside?? Hmmmm... you are fully of mystery and suspense!
emmysmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2010
Ok, I have to admit I scratched my head and wondered why there was a jar of goo on the plate. Sorry it disappointed. Like you, I am a bleu cheese lover so I would have perhaps ordered this but between the olive oil cheese, the naked bleu, and the brandy soaked wedge - I can't say that I'm wanted to try it.
The May 2011 cheese plate version looks the best to me!
So are you posting part II now?
How about now?
Now?
I can't wait!!!!
Now for a serious question. I was going to wear a nice sundress to this restaurant - do people dress a little nicer here? I guess I'm comparing it to the attire at Cali Grill since we tend to dress a little snazzier there.
Ok, I'm still waiting!
Sorry it disappointed. Like you, I am a bleu cheese lover so I would have perhaps ordered this but between the olive oil cheese, the naked bleu, and the brandy soaked wedge - I can't say that I'm wanted to try it. The May 2011 cheese plate version looks the best to me!
So are you posting part II now?
How about now?
Now?
I can't wait!!!!
Now for a serious question. I was going to wear a nice sundress to this restaurant - do people dress a little nicer here? I guess I'm comparing it to the attire at Cali Grill since we tend to dress a little snazzier there.
Ok, I'm still waiting!
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
You raise a great point - that is a rather sad-looking "assortment" of bread, so I hope the rest of the meal was much more satisfying.
I'm happy to say that Yachtsman did come through for me once again!
So are you posting part II now?
How about now?
Now?
I can't wait!!!!
Now for a serious question. I was going to wear a nice sundress to this restaurant - do people dress a little nicer here? I guess I'm comparing it to the attire at Cali Grill since we tend to dress a little snazzier there.
Ok, I'm still waiting!
Sorry for the long delay...I was having some technical difficulties.
As for your question, I don't think you would feel out of place in a nice sundress. Just like pretty much all of the Signature restaurants, I'm sure you will see guests there that are more casually dressed. But like my dear mother used to always say...It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
emmysmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2010
Ahhhhh a Tinkerbell for the steak - I'm SO GLAD to see that! Mostly because I fully intend to order the filet myself. The mashed pototes do look very smoothe and creamy - yummmmmm!
I actually love cabernet wine so I think the wine reduction with the steak will be heavenly. And for dessert... I think I want to try the peanut butter pretzel cake thingie. I'll likely have had 6.5 creme brulees already by the time we get to YS.
Glad I stayed up to catch Part II of your review because now I am going to dream of filets and creamy mashed potatoes - such bliss!
Mostly because I fully intend to order the filet myself. The mashed pototes do look very smoothe and creamy - yummmmmm! I actually love cabernet wine so I think the wine reduction with the steak will be heavenly. And for dessert... I think I want to try the peanut butter pretzel cake thingie. I'll likely have had 6.5 creme brulees already by the time we get to YS.
Glad I stayed up to catch Part II of your review because now I am going to dream of filets and creamy mashed potatoes - such bliss!
DonaldDoleWhip
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
Yay! I'm happy that another Tinker Bell appeared, and that you enjoyed the Yachtsman Sundae.
And it's very cool that you saw Illuminations and Fantasmic on the same night. After all that previous food and park time, sounds like skipping MK was a great choice.
And it's very cool that you saw Illuminations and Fantasmic on the same night. After all that previous food and park time, sounds like skipping MK was a great choice.
Smiling Cheshire Cat
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2009
Thanks for the reminder that I really need to try the Yachtsman. Looks amazing!
GoofySon'sMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
Great review of the YSH. We are eating there the last night before they close for renovations and I have been nervous about it and debating whether to change to FF. I think I am going to just stick with YSH and hope for the best. We had such a great meal there last year!
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
Glad I stayed up to catch Part II of your review because now I am going to dream of filets and creamy mashed potatoes - such bliss!
That makes two of us that dreamt about the Yachtsman filet and mashed potatoes last night.
Yes, I was surprised at how good the sundae was. I wish though that I had remembered to ask them to substitute the vanilla with the salted caramel like you did. But I guess I should just be happy that I got to have dessert that night.
I absolutely recommend YSH to anyone who has not yet tried it!
Yatchsman looks really yummy!! I wanted to try it this trip but they will be closed when we are there
Yay, another new reader!!! Thanks for taking the time to post a comment. It's always encouraging to get feedback when you are writing these reports. So sorry though that Yachtsman will be closed during your visit. I feel your pain because my #1 favorite Disney restaurant will more than likely be closed during my next trip to Disney World.
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
I'm all caught up now. Great review of Y&Y. I am so glad we have kept our ADR there next month (I was tempted to cancel after Linda's disappointing experience). Like you, we are infrequent visitors to AK and haven't been on either of our past two trips so I am really looking forward to this.
For some reason, I couldn't see most of the pictures on your Kouzzina or Yachtsman reviews Which was a shame as I really wanted to see the Calamari (DS and I love Calamari).
Looking forward to more (and fingers crossed that I can see the photos).
For some reason, I couldn't see most of the pictures on your Kouzzina or Yachtsman reviews
Which was a shame as I really wanted to see the Calamari (DS and I love Calamari).Looking forward to more (and fingers crossed that I can see the photos).
jabead
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2000
Hmmm...although I do really like Flying Fish, I like YSH even more. So if I were in your shoes, I would probably take a chance and stick with Yachtsman.
Besides, maybe they will hook you up with some extra free desserts or something, since they can't really put them in storage for 3 weeks, can they??? 
For some reason, I couldn't see most of the pictures on your Kouzzina or Yachtsman reviews
Looking forward to more (and fingers crossed that I can see the photos).
That's really strange about the pics.
I can see them all fine so hopefully it was just a temporary glitch and you will be able to see them soon. Wonderful Yachtsman review
I too love the little alcove area of the restaurant, such a great place to sit
Too bad for the oily cheese
The rest of it sounds great though, you gotta love the onion rolls
Let me just say that I was quite tempted to ask for 1 or 2 or 10
of those rolls in a To-Go box. YUM!
GoofySon'sMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
Hmmm...although I do really like Flying Fish, I like YSH even more. So if I were in your shoes, I would probably take a chance and stick with Yachtsman.
Hmmm...I hadn't even thought of that! I have been thinking only of the negative possibilities, not any of the possible positives!
basketlacey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2003
Love your review so far! I can't wait to see where you eat next!
smile4stamps
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
Wonderful YSH review! Except for the oily Cheese... EWWWW!!!
I think if I were to order a cheese plate and that was listed I would ask for a different kind!! I'm a fan of softer cheese... creamy oozy cheeses are the best. Blue cheeses are growing on me!! Which sometimes disappoints my hubby as then he can't have as much! Hard cheeses to me hurt my mouth so I prefer to stay away from them although I've noticed a lot of Disney cheese plates have harder cheeses....
The steak looks delicious... Although a bit overcooked for me! My hubby and I are both in the camp that anything over medium is overcooked! Those potatoes when I saw the picture looked so creamy! I'm glad thats what they actually were!
I was disappointed you didn't get the pretzel dessert! I wanted to see it!!
I think if I were to order a cheese plate and that was listed I would ask for a different kind!! I'm a fan of softer cheese... creamy oozy cheeses are the best. Blue cheeses are growing on me!! Which sometimes disappoints my hubby as then he can't have as much!
Hard cheeses to me hurt my mouth so I prefer to stay away from them although I've noticed a lot of Disney cheese plates have harder cheeses....The steak looks delicious... Although a bit overcooked for me! My hubby and I are both in the camp that anything over medium is overcooked! Those potatoes when I saw the picture looked so creamy! I'm glad thats what they actually were!
I was disappointed you didn't get the pretzel dessert! I wanted to see it!!
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