The not so live version of dining w/ Disers, in Castles & on Safari! The Wrap! 2/26

[emmysmommy]

Thanks for sharing that review. We have never been to the Japan pavilion to eat because I didn't think my kids would enjoy it. I may have to give it a try anyway.

The kids may like the "show" at the teppan table. The wait team is good about making suggestions and substituting items to match your taste preferences. The Tokyo Dining room is another favorite of ours and they have a much bigger menu.

We've never done any of the Asian restaurants in World Showcase. When I ask Hunter about it he never wants to book them. I think Asian food is more a whim thing for us! It looks good though! Boo on no TiW discount! Lol

We've only done the Japanese restaurants but not the Chinese one. Odd but I just don't really think of it.

At least they offer an AP discount. Not as good a discount but it was $5 more than we would have paid.

I have never been there but it sounds amazing. I love Japanese food and their friendly culture so it is on my dining bucket list.

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You should try this Lori. Definitely a great place. Full bar... need I say more! Seriously though, it's one of our favorites.

Well, I love the report as always but it's really throwing a wrench in my spreadsheets for our upcoming trip (150 days, roughly but who's counting? I AM!!)! No complaints here! Each time I read a review, I contemplate adding that particular spot in, some I have moved around, some are on the short list for next time. I mulled over Teppan several times before your report (may have even booked and later cancelled it), and now it's booked.. Again. This trip I'm going for heavy on fun/entertaining restaurants, so I think it should fit in nicely. Another revision to the spreadsheet printed!

You sound like you are faced with the delimma of having to book at 3.6 week trip to WDW to fit all the ADRs that you want into one trip! I hear ya! Too many options and not enough time.

Glad it's made the cut ... for now... keep your printer full of ink.

Okay, I just ate dinner and I'm hungry all over again looking at your update (which somehow I missed). We ate at Teppan Edo last December with Nicki and Todd and Andy and Mark and really, really enjoyed it (except for the screaming child). We'd like to go back but I think we will do it only if we go in April since we go to the best Japanese Steakhouse in Naples every September.

You and Emily look lovely as always.

I saw in your TR the traditional Japanese restaurant which looked wonderful. It's hard to replace your traditional Japanese restaurant with one at Epcot.

They have a place for screaming kids - it's called outside!

 

[Roma]

Sooo many more good reviews!

First off... you had the same tables we did at Boma and at 50's! Not that this is unheard of or anything but what a cute coincidence!

I am absolutely ordering that children's chicken meal next time I am at 50's - especially if Mr. Roma refuses to share again.

Yachtsman and MP are must-dos for us next trip. Mr. Roma and I honeymooned in Paris so anything French is a trip down memory lane! It helps that your meal looked amazing.

Looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!

 

[klacey1]

I love teppanyaki, but we have such a good local restaurant, it's impossible to get Zach to try Teppan Edo! Also, when we go, we sit in the regular part of the restaurant, not at the hibachi table, so we get all of the food at the same time and we don't have to deal with potentially awkward chef situations! Your food looks fantastic, though-- especially that chicken!

 

[emmysmommy]

I love teppanyaki, but we have such a good local restaurant, it's impossible to get Zach to try Teppan Edo! Also, when we go, we sit in the regular part of the restaurant, not at the hibachi table, so we get all of the food at the same time and we don't have to deal with potentially awkward chef situations! Your food looks fantastic, though-- especially that chicken!

I hear ya Kylie. I wouldn't say TE is any better than most local teppanyaki places so for us it is more about the yummy food.

We've definitely enjoyed the food there. No disappointments yet.

Sooo many more good reviews!

First off... you had the same tables we did at Boma and at 50's! Not that this is unheard of or anything but what a cute coincidence!

I am absolutely ordering that children's chicken meal next time I am at 50's - especially if Mr. Roma refuses to share again.

Yachtsman and MP are must-dos for us next trip. Mr. Roma and I honeymooned in Paris so anything French is a trip down memory lane! It helps that your meal looked amazing.

Looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!

Hi there Mrs. Roma! What a coincidence!

The kids chicken meal was the first time that I actually ordered the fried chicken and it was perfect in every way. Definitely the perfect portion.

If you honeymooned in France then you would have had no problem saying 'good night' in French. (and thanks to Dani for the French lesson!) Seriously, we loved them both but MP was an unexpected delight.

You are on my calendar - I am looking forward to seeing you as well.

 

[Alysa]

I can't wait to try Tepan Edo with my father-in-law when we take him for his 80th birthday!

 

[elaine amj]

I've only made it to Day 5 so far - have been enjoying your reviews a lot. Very neat as most of the places are not ones I have been to yet. Love all the pics.

 

[emmysmommy]

I can't wait to try Tepan Edo with my father-in-law when we take him for his 80th birthday!

Hi Alysa! Welcome back. It's good to see you here.

I hope your dad gets a birthday chef hat with a cute Japanese song for this milestone celebration. (In the past they have placed personalized chef hats on the celebrant and delivered a candle topped slice of chocolate ginger cake with a bday song.)

I've only made it to Day 5 so far - have been enjoying your reviews a lot. Very neat as most of the places are not ones I have been to yet. Love all the pics.

Hi Elaine! I'm glad you are here and reading! Thanks for joining.

 

[peachmermaid]

Man, that place looks good. And I do love the pavilion & it's cast members. Definitely a place I want to hit next time!

 

[scottny]

LOL. I am one of those people. When we go to Chefs this year that will be my meal.
The video is funny.
What day are you doing Teppan Edo in December? Lunch or dinner?

 

[emmysmommy]

Man, that place looks good. And I do love the pavilion & it's cast members. Definitely a place I want to hit next time!

The food and the service has never disappointed at either Japanese restaurant there. They are just so kind and gracious.

LOL. I am one of those people. When we go to Chefs this year that will be my meal.
The video is funny.
What day are you doing Teppan Edo in December? Lunch or dinner?

Scott I LOVE Chefs. We are doing a CP late lunch there next month. For TE, we are doing our 2nd CP dinner there on 12/12.

 

[emmysmommy]

Day 7: Thurs. August 22, 2013 La Hacienda de San Angel

​

Dinner tonight was at La Hacienda de San Angel. We arrived for our 7:45pm reservation and were seated at a window table. I was pretty excited about that because everyone wants a window table during Illuminations, right?

Jesus was our server he was rather quiet and subdued and as you will see created quite the commotion on the Dis Dining Boards!!

Drink Menu:

I asked for an avocado margarita (they are legendary right?) and Jesus told me that it was no longer on the menu. Oh no! Alarm set in. He said that they are changing things up and that it wasn’t even available at the tequila bar. Horrors!! This news caused a ripple in the time space continuum because I reported this back in my living dining report and it cause such anxiety and angst!!! I didn’t know that quite yet so I proceeded to order a strawberry margarita instead. Not the best that I’ve had since it was a lot of ice but you could taste the tequila so I guess that was fine.

Chips and salsa arrived, I didn’t even need to ask at this place. Again, I’m a fan of the salsa verde. Yum!

Menu photos;

From reviewing the dining reviews (GoofySon’smom) I was fully prepared to order the queso fundido but Jesus burst my bubble and said it was way too cheesy. Hmmm isn’t that what it’s supposed to be with queso in the name? If I knew then what I know now I would have ordered the opposite of his advice. But back to where I was then without being on this side of the knowledge I now have… So he didn’t particularly endorse the cheesy chorizo app so I asked him his favorites and I’d go with one of those. He said the gordita was very good. Ok, I’ll take one of those. I also ordered the trio of tacos (appetizer).

My choices from the app menu:

Em didn’t have the struggle that I had in placing her order, the grilled pork rib-eye.

Gorditas: corn cakes stuffed with chorizo, potatoes and arugula, topped with chipotle sauce and sour cream ($10.50)

Taquiza: Trio of Tacos featuring beef with chipotle salsa, chicken with salsa verde and marinated pork with queso fresco ($11.25)​

Apparently Jesus’ tastes were no where near what mine were since I liked the tacos better – especially the pork. In fact, I only ate 1 of the 2 corn cake gorditas. The gorditas were rather dry and didn't have a lot of flavor. Neither were particularly spicy which I rather expected with chipotle salsa drizzled over the tacos. Next time I’m not letting anyone talk me out of the queso fundido!

Puerco en salsa de Ciruela: Grilled pork rib-eye served with carrot puree, caramelized onion and plum sauce ($26.50)​

This was a big thick serving of pork – way too much for her to eat alone. In the dark restaurant, the sauce looked suspiciously like mole. Her meal was served with a bowl of rice and black beans. Hot tortillas were also served with the meal. She actually made an exception to not eating pork for this entrée choice and was glad that she did. She really enjoyed it.

All together now:

We looked over the dessert menu and decided to split the empanada. It arrived right as Illuminations was starting so I took a quick photo and then trained my camera and attention on the show as the lights in the restaurant dimmed and the sound track played.

Dessert Menu:

Empanada de Manzana: Puff pastry stuffed with sautéed caramel apples served with dulce de leche ice-cream and cajeta (caramel sauce) ($7.95)​

We couldn’t see all of the fireworks from our table but it was a pretty decent spot for some of the show.

Back to dessert – uhhh where did it go? Actually, Em warned me to take a bite since it would be gone quickly. I said to go ahead, it’s yours. Apparently it was delicious.

Illuminations Photos:

Post dinner photo:

Jesus took our photo, paid the bill (they used to accept TiW but no longer) and were on our way around 9:30.

Note: Barb’s live dining thread note about the avocado margarita fiasco was hilarious. In case anyone missed it, here’s what she wrote:
As I was sitting in church this morning, I received this text from our live reporter, Brenda, regarding her investigation into the case of the missing avocado margarita.

She said, "Glad I came by the tequila bar because...They no longer sell the avocado margarita in the restaurants (La Hacienda or SAI) but they DO sell them still at the tequila bar! Whew!"

Upon reading Brenda's update (sorry I just couldn't help but look), I nearly blurted out "Praise the Lord"!!! But being Presbyterian, that probably would have been frowned upon , so I celebrated in silence for the remainder of the church service...but with a big goofy grin on my face."

Cheers to the avocado margarita still being on the menu - elsewhere.

Next Up: Plaza Restaurant Lunch - with a touch of magic
But first, a brief CL breakfast intermission.

​

 

[Wood Nymph]

I've been looking forward to your review of La Hacienda. I've read a lot of positive comments about this restaurant, so I made a reservation for our March trip. Which meal did you like better, the taco trio at La Hacienda or the Tostados de Tinga (pulled chicken) appetizer at San Angel? I love Mexican food but only want to go to one restaurant, and they both look good.

 

[spiritsim]

can you taste the avocado? I mean ...ok don't know what I mean just can not imagine what this tastes like but I love margaritas and avacados so guess I will have to try it......

 

[emmysmommy]

I've been looking forward to your review of La Hacienda. I've read a lot of positive comments about this restaurant, so I made a reservation for our March trip. Which meal did you like better, the taco trio at La Hacienda or the Tostados de Tinga (pulled chicken) appetizer at San Angel? I love Mexican food but only want to go to one restaurant, and they both look good.

I much preferred the tostadas de tinga at San Angel. The taco trio at La Hacienda was good but the chicken tostadas were far better in my opinion.

We've been to La Hacienda 3 times and Em has consistently liked what she has ordered. It's been a mixed review for my choices but then again the shrimp tacos were not at all to my liking the first time we went so it is all relative.

I don't think you'll go wrong with your dinner choice at La Hacienda. (Even though I just told you that I preferred my San Angel Inn choice! )

 

[emmysmommy]

can you taste the avocado? I mean ...ok don't know what I mean just can not imagine what this tastes like but I love margaritas and avacados so guess I will have to try it......

Uhh not that I noticed really. It's hard to describe the taste but it is more fruity tasking. The one that I ordered was strong on the tequila so I really tasted that. Oh boy!

 

[smile4stamps]

The Queso is TOO CHEESY!?!?!

That is hilarious! So sad that his recommendation was not great either.

I remember the drama about the Avacado Margarita!! I still haven't tried it!

We haven't tried La Hacienda... I like to maximize our TiW discount lol!

 

[vettegirl]

Haha I love it! No avocado margarita shame on them lol. Is the salsa verde the same one at the QS? If it is I love that stuff. You guys had the most awesome view!!!

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[emmysmommy]

The Queso is TOO CHEESY!?!?!

That is hilarious! So sad that his recommendation was not great either.

I remember the drama about the Avacado Margarita!! I still haven't tried it!

We haven't tried La Hacienda... I like to maximize our TiW discount lol!

Don't worry, you're not missing much in my opinion. I did have one later in the trip and didn't finish it.

Yeah, they used to accept TiW but now more. That may sway us to go back to SAI again.

Haha I love it! No avocado margarita shame on them lol. Is the salsa verde the same one at the QS? If it is I love that stuff. You guys had the most awesome view!!!

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They need to get their margarita stories straight, that's for sure!

I don't speak on authority since we've not eaten at the QS but the salsas are the same between the two restaurants so one would assume it is the same at the counter service.

It was really the best view!

 

[starousse]

So funny. I'm making my reservations on Friday and was planning on doing lunch at SAI, A for the atmosphere and B to try an avocado margarita ( I know, sounds crazy!). So SAI definitely doesn't serve them anymore? If that's the case, I'll pick something else and try to get one from the Tequila Bar in the pavillion.

 

[emmysmommy]

So funny. I'm making my reservations on Friday and was planning on doing lunch at SAI, A for the atmosphere and B to try an avocado margarita ( I know, sounds crazy!). So SAI definitely doesn't serve them anymore? If that's the case, I'll pick something else and try to get one from the Tequila Bar in the pavillion.

The atmosphere is definitely worth the reservation. You CAN order an avocado margarita I'm told by the manager at the La Cave Tequila Bar. You can either order one to go and bring it with you or order it from the restaurant and someone can fetch it. They still have them available so that's the good news.