Emmysdaddy Joins the Damsels to Dine, Even with Princesses: Em started PDR see link

[KatMark]

Brenda, love your review of Plaza. As you know, it is always our last meal of the trip, and will continue to be so.

Your burger and fries are making me drool. The Plaza simply has the best french fries in all of Disney in my opinion.

And love those potato chips too.

 

[MrsB1228]

Loved your review of CP and how fun to have another unexpected Dismeet! We've had ADR's for CP many times but have always had to cancel for various reasons. I'm determined to get there next time!

We love the Plaza as well although we haven't gone in a while. Your burgers are certainly drool-worthy and are making me think a return visit is in order.

Thanks for two more wonderful reviews!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Breakfast at CP looks great! I'm a big fan of the burgers at The Plaza - so tasty!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We are trying The Plaza for the first time this upcoming trip. I figure it was a good option as it could be a lighter lunch one day.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

[Alysa]

All caught up!
Eek! A rat! This definitely made me remove the Brown Derby from our list of possibles. Nice of the manager to remove the charge though. Glad you had someone nice at the restaurant, sad to hear about the server!

Loved your reviews of Crystal Palace (one of my favourites) and the Plaza (I have such a nice memory from my childhood from here).

 

[smiths02]

Thanks for your reviews. I am mostly a lurker since it has been over a year since our last trip and a few years until our next...but I just wanted to say that I love your reviews. Also, I am jealous that you are so close to Disneyland- the only thing I miss about living in SoCal. Also, thank your son (and your whole family) for his service to our country.

I had to comment b/c I couldn't believe that anyone would doubt your rat story!

 

[emmysmommy]

We love the Plaza for all of the reasons you describe above. For a burger (or sandwich) and fries in a glorious setting, a respite from the hubbub of Magic Kingdom, it is a great deal for in-park dining.

I was disappointed with dessert last time we ate there - it was apple charlotte and it had that 'reheated in the microwave' taste. The giveaway was how incredibly piping hot it was. Still, it wouldn't put me off eating there again. I would love to try one of those banana splits

Hi Joh! You were putting me to shame with all of your updates so I had to get moving!

You have a good point. With our TiW card it really isn't much more expensive to dine at Plaza Restaurant than some other CS places. I like when the Mayor arrives and selects an honorary family - he was on vacation most of our last trip so we only saw him once I believe. So funny to think of these major characters taking vacations and not being at the greatest vacation spot in the world!!

Uhhh not sure I would be so happy with a re-heated desert! I suppose that's why you can't go wrong with ice-cream!

I really love The Plaza! Haven't tried the burger though ... it looked great! We were supposed to eat there the night we were "lucky" enough to get into BOG. Your review (and hindsight!) make me wish that we had!

Can't wait for AP!

Vicki I hope you are feeling better. I just read your BOG dinner review! So sorry that it wasn't good or even mediocre. Ick. At least you can say that you ate there before FLE opened.

Plaza is my favorite place to eat in Magic Kingdom. It is an ADR's for the trip in February and a great value. It's excellent food at a better value than Counter Service. Glad you really enjoyed that place.

Hi there! I so agree with you! Such great, simple, tasty food for a relatively quick meal in an air conditioned restaurant. (At least in the summer that is a welcome relief!)

Brenda, love your review of Plaza. As you know, it is always our last meal of the trip, and will continue to be so.

Your burger and fries are making me drool. The Plaza simply has the best french fries in all of Disney in my opinion.

And love those potato chips too.

Kathy I did remember that Plaza Restaurant is your final meal at WDW. That makes it sentimental favorite I suppose!

Loved your review of CP and how fun to have another unexpected Dismeet! We've had ADR's for CP many times but have always had to cancel for various reasons. I'm determined to get there next time!

We love the Plaza as well although we haven't gone in a while. Your burgers are certainly drool-worthy and are making me think a return visit is in order.

Thanks for two more wonderful reviews!

Hi Carol! I'm still amazed by your LTT experience - what a wonderful job Caitlyn did!

Yes, the burgers were good - and the fries!

Thanks for continuing to read.

Breakfast at CP looks great! I'm a big fan of the burgers at The Plaza - so tasty!

Hi littlestinkerbelle! There's so many great choices at CP! I may have to skip it a time or two since my family is not a CP fan! And yes, such tasty fresh cooked to order burgers are so good!

We are trying The Plaza for the first time this upcoming trip. I figure it was a good option as it could be a lighter lunch one day.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hi Debra! I hope you have an awesome meal at Plaza Restaurant!

All caught up! Enjoy your trip!
Eek! A rat! This definitely made me remove the Brown Derby from our list of possibles. Nice of the manager to remove the charge though. Glad you had someone nice at the restaurant, sad to hear about the server!

Loved your reviews of Crystal Palace (one of my favourites) and the Plaza (I have such a nice memory from my childhood from here).

Hi Alyssa. The poor manager... the super sweet bartender... the rude server... we kinda had a mix of all types there! Sorry you removed this as a possibility. I'm determined to go back and have this place redeem our experience!!

Awwww.... glad you have special memories of Plaza Restaurant... makes it tht much sweeter when you visit.

Thanks for your reviews. I am mostly a lurker since it has been over a year since our last trip and a few years until our next...but I just wanted to say that I love your reviews. Also, I am jealous that you are so close to Disneyland- the only thing I miss about living in SoCal. Also, thank your son (and your whole family) for his service to our country.

I had to comment b/c I couldn't believe that anyone would doubt your rat story!

Hi smiths02 - thank you so much for reading and commenting! Thank you even more for your kind comments! We are blessed to live so close to DL - it is still magical for us! Where did you live in So. CA?? You certainly are a lot closer to WDW now!

Thanks again!

 

[Linda67]

I'm also a big fan of the Plaza Brenda
They do a really great veggie burger (don't think it's listed on the menu) and the fries are just wonderful

 

[Tracerr00]

Great Plaza review! Sometimes there is nothing better than a good burger & fries!! And you are so good at turning down dessert when you are full. I tend to just stuff myself and then feel miserable!

 

[Ro Z]

Brenda, love your review of Plaza. As you know, it is always our last meal of the trip, and will continue to be so.

Your burger and fries are making me drool. The Plaza simply has the best french fries in all of Disney in my opinion.

And love those potato chips too.

I have been told I am a french fry snob. And maybe I am but the fries at Plaza are soooo good. Now that they serve those yummy chips we make sure DH gets one and I get the other. I want some of each!!

 

[Roma]

I absolutely love the Plaza too, Brenda. Although my opinion may be slightly biased because it's one of the few restaurants I've been able to to eat at on a walk-up .

I also agree with everyone else who said that the Plaza fries are ridiculously good. I don't know what they do to them but they need to keep doing it.

I've never tried the burger there but I can tell my DH would love it.

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm also a big fan of the Plaza Brenda
They do a really great veggie burger (don't think it's listed on the menu) and the fries are just wonderful

mmmmm... love the fries too!

Great Plaza review! Sometimes there is nothing better than a good burger & fries!! And you are so good at turning down dessert when you are full. I tend to just stuff myself and then feel miserable!

I love desserts but I have my limits sometimes!

I have been told I am a french fry snob. And maybe I am but the fries at Plaza are soooo good. Now that they serve those yummy chips we make sure DH gets one and I get the other. I want some of each!!

Ahhhh another fan of Plaza's fries.

I absolutely love the Plaza too, Brenda. Although my opinion may be slightly biased because it's one of the few restaurants I've been able to to eat at on a walk-up .

I also agree with everyone else who said that the Plaza fries are ridiculously good. I don't know what they do to them but they need to keep doing it.

I've never tried the burger there but I can tell my DH would love it.

They must put some special magical ingredient in their fries.

 

[emmysmommy]

I interrupt this dining review to bring you this special Dismeet!
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Smile4stamps (Paula) last night to enjoy the Holiday fireworks show and dinner at DTD! I was excited to see that she was going to be at DLR for a short trip and had contacted me to meet up.

I have to say that Paula really looked great for being up nearly 24 hrs at this point!

Paula, Emily, & Brenda

Dinner was at Naples Ristorante e Pizzaria (that name sounds made up but I double checked!) Michael and Em were with me so they got to meet Paula as well.

Sorry for the poor food photo quality, most photos were from my phone or Em's phone since my camera battery died.

We started with sourdough bread with olive oil and balsamic:

I took the photo a little too late to get the smiley face... it had morphed into something unrecognizable at this point.

Paula ordered an entire pizza for herself! Just kidding.. we shared this margherita pizza:

Pizza:

Em and Michael both had chicken parmesan:

I had candele pasta which was VERY good:

Loved the evening with Paula!!

Note: Darn! I have to go to Vegas again for business tomorrow so I will post my Artist Point review hopefully on Friday.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

How great that you go to meet up! I am so jealous!

Is that the same people that own Via Napoli? I think I had read that some place?

Enjoy Vegas!

 

[Linda67]

Yay, another DIS meet

So cool that you guys could meet up, the pizza looks yummy

Have a great time in Vegas Brenda - remember, don't put everything on Red

 

[emmysmommy]

How great that you go to meet up! I am so jealous!

Is that the same people that own Via Napoli? I think I had read that some place?

Enjoy Vegas!

Hi Vicki! Yes, according to Paula it is owned by the same company as VN. I learned something new.

Yay, another DIS meet

So cool that you guys could meet up, the pizza looks yummy

Have a great time in Vegas Brenda - remember, don't put everything on Red

It was pretty cool to meet Paula and have some yummy pizza!
You're funny... I left my $ in my pocket so I think I came out ahead!

 

[emmysmommy]

Artist Point ​

I was excited to dine at AP with Michael since I pretty much know his tastes and thought he would enjoy not only the menu but the rustic outdoorsy feel of the resort. This was the third time that Em and I had dined at AP. We had an 8:50pm ADR which would give us plenty of time to relax in the early evening. In fact, we rested so much that we fell asleep and ran a little late getting out the door. Instead of waiting for the boat launch from CR to WL we went ahead and took a taxi for $10 that included tip.

We were arrived at WL early enough to enjoy the beautiful lobby and take some photos:

We arrived and checked in and were seated without a wait. Katy was our wonderful server who made us feel so welcome and did an incredible job.

The restaurant is so very lovely. I adore the timber beamed ceilings with cast iron trimmed lanterns and the expansive windows that overlook the property. The stunning framed nature-scapes on the walls are highlighted on the back of the menus. The dining room is spacious and open and while it can tend to get a bit noisy, it is not overly loud like ‘Ohana.

This Signature restaurant’s menu is rich with seafood options that reflect a definite Pacific Northwest vibe with a few non-seafood choices. The wine list contains many Oregon options as well as other Columbia and Rogue Valley selections. Just wait until you see the dessert menu!

Menu:

After Katy our server introduced herself she highlighted several house specialties on the menu and demonstrated a very solid understanding of the menu. Michael ordered Mussels for an appetizer and the Buffalo Strip Steak for his entrée. Em ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad as an appetizer to share with everyone and also ordered the Buffalo Steak for her entrée (which she had ordered 2 years ago.) I wasn’t especially hungry so ordered the smokey portobello mushroom soup and the mixed field green salad.

A basket of hot sourdough bread served with both salted butter and olive oil was delivered with our beverages. Knowing that I could eat an entire basket and call that a meal, I took it easy and stopped at one slice. Such self control! By the way, my Diet Coke arrived with a Mickey Mouse silly straw – how awesome!

Mickey Head Straw!​

Sourdough Bread with Salted Butter and Olive Oil:

Heirloom Tomato Salad; Wheatberry, Smokey Bleu Cheese, Sweet Onions, Parmesan-Sesame Cracker, Barrel Aged 8 Year Balsamic, Virgin Olive Oil & Petite Basil: $15​

Kettle Steamed Penn Cove Mussels with Sourdough Crustini: $14

Smokey Portobello Mushroom Soup with Roasted Shiitakes, Chive Oil and Sourdough Croutons: $10

The few bites that I had of the tomato salad was good. I think at that point, it was the 3rd or 4th tomato salad that week so I was a little tired of it at that point. However, it was fresh and delicious.

Michael enjoyed the mussels and especially appreciated that Katy brought a bowl to deposit the empty mussel shells. I didn’t make a note of the crostini so I can’t tell you what he thought of that.

I was served the fabulous smokey Portobello soup as my first course and I can honestly say once again, it was wonderfully delicious. Just the right touch of mushroomy flavor. (The mushrooms are cooked in a smoker thus giving the “smokey” name to the soup.) The crispy roasted shiitakes and croutons are the perfect topper to this dish. I declare that I shall always order this soup as long as it is on the menu! It’s that good.

Slow Roasted Buffalo Strip Steak; Zellwood Corn-Sausage Hash, Yukon Gold Potato Smear, and Blackberry Pinot Noir Reduction: $43

The entrees arrived and both Buffalo Strip Steaks were prepared medium rare as ordered. Em’s was a bit tough and she didn’t enjoy it as she did before. As Em described it, the corn salsa on mashed potatoes wasn’t to her liking either. However, Michael appeared to enjoy the entrée.

Mixed Field Green Salad; Cherries, Sunflower Seed Granola, Smokey Bleu Cheese, and Ice Wine Vinaigrette: $10​

The salad was absolutely delightful! Cherries appeared to be the seasonal fruit that was featured in many of the dishes and I was so glad that it was incorporated into this salad. The sunflower granola gave it a wonderful sweet/salty crunch while the bleu cheese provided a creamy counterbalance. The salad wasn’t overpowered with a lot of dressing so that was good. All I can say is that I’m a huge fan of this salad!

Katy was on top of making sure we had drink re-fills, dishes cleared and the right amount of attention. When she presented the dessert menus I was hoping that we could decide on something to share since we were pretty full. The fruit cobbler is their signature dessert and I really wanted to try this dish that had received some positive reviews. However, Michael decided that the cannoli sounded really good as well. After a short debate we decided to just go with the fruit cobbler. Michael also ordered a cappuccino.

When Katy delivered our desserts she came bearing the cannoli dessert as well and said that it was her treat. How incredibly thoughtful!!

Artist Point Cobbler; Seasonal Berries and House-made Black Raspberry Ice-Cream: $11

We dug into this beauty and I have to say that this was divine! The berries were fresh and perfectly sweet while the cobbler had a slight crispness around the edges with a soft moist sweet center. I didn’t try the ice-cream since this dessert was gone so quickly.

Local Orange Blossom Lace Cannoli with Mountain Berry Mousse, White Chocolate Anglaise, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam: $10

I had one bite of the cannoli and it wasn’t as chewy as I imagined the outside part would be. I was thinking it would be similar to the edible chewy “edible basket” that accompanied the pistachio creme brulee at Tony’s Town Square. In any event, it was good although I don’t recall tasting much of the cream filling.

Cappuccino: $4.19

The bill with TiW savings of $30.44 was $157.05.

This was a great dining experience for which I was pleased to introduce Michael to yet another Signature restaurant at WDW. If he accompanies the damsels on yet another trip he would love to eat here again!

Next Up: 'Ohana breakfast

 

[ksromack]

So happy to see this review as we are also eating at AP on the 15th. I was leaning towards the Buffalo Strip Steak too....now I'm wondering if I should go for the Pork? Was the soup delicious? I've been looking forward to that as well as the cobbler! Is AP down a long hallway to the left, behind WCC? We stayed at WL in 1998? and it's a bit fuzzy in my head

 

[smile4stamps]

Thanks so much for meeting me at DL! It was so much fun!

Artist Point... love the Mushroom Soup! The restaurant is beautiful! I just love that whole resort!

 

[emmysmommy]

So happy to see this review as we are also eating at AP on the 15th. I was leaning towards the Buffalo Strip Steak too....now I'm wondering if I should go for the Pork? Was the soup delicious? I've been looking forward to that as well as the cobbler! Is AP down a long hallway to the left, behind WCC? We stayed at WL in 1998? and it's a bit fuzzy in my head

I think you will really like AP. I had the pork several years ago and wasn't a fan since it was very bland. Em liked the buffalo strip steak better two years ago so I don't think I'm much help on what is better. However, the soup, as always - was amazing!!!

You have a great memory! If you go down the long hallway from the pool entrance you will arrive at AP on the right before the main lobby.

Wishing you an amazing trip!!

Thanks so much for meeting me at DL! It was so much fun!

Artist Point... love the Mushroom Soup! The restaurant is beautiful! I just love that whole resort!

Paula thank you so much for letting me know you would be here. It was awesome to meet you!!!!

Yep, that soup is so delicious.