Follow me to the Boardwalk! 10/23 - 11/7 UPDATED 4/13 BEACHES & CREAM

[Vernie822]

Your meal at Tutto Gusto looks AMAZING! I have always considered doing one of these lunches but I didn't realize just how much food you got for the price. $94 looks to be well worth it.. there is so much variety there. Wow!

 

[momof3princes]

I had to take a second look at all those glasses!
It is nice to have 3 choices, much easier for someone to find something to like! It looked delicious!

 

[jabead]

Great review of the luncheon! It does look nice and the variety they give is exceptional.

Thanks Lori!

You give such wonderfully descriptive reviews. Just like last year's, your review causes me to consider the additional special offerings of F&W

Thank you so much! The Italian Regional lunch is definitely a special event that I would recommend.

Your luncheon pics are wonderful! The F&W special events are always a bit of a gamble and I've been horse shy of them save for the inexpensive deminars. Very helpful to see your photos and to have your previous year experience to weigh. Glad you enjoyed despite the terrible weather. I think I was in Epcot the same day - braving the rain and thunderstorms. I ended up finding shelter in the France pavilion and watched the film for the worst of the storm. Nasty day. I had a dinner ADR at Chefs and the duck was good as always.

Oh, you are a fan of duck. I bet you would have enjoyed the duck that was served at the Italian lunch last year. And thanks for the tip about the French film. That's a great place to wait out a storm, or to find a seat in the air conditioning on a hot day without having to buy anything.

Your meal at Tutto Gusto looks AMAZING! I have always considered doing one of these lunches but I didn't realize just how much food you got for the price. $94 looks to be well worth it.. there is so much variety there. Wow!

I think it was money well spent considering we had 5 courses (each with 3 items) and at least 5 glasses of wine (I think we were offered refills a couple of times).

I had to take a second look at all those glasses!
It is nice to have 3 choices, much easier for someone to find something to like! It looked delicious!

Yes, the way they line them up it appears that you have 12 glasses in front of you but then you realize that half of them belong to the person seated across from you. Thank goodness!

 

[jabead]

I began this evening by using my Tier 1 FP+ for reserved seating at the 6:45 Eat to the Beat concert, which gave me a great view of the performance by Dennis DeYoung and his band.




When I told my kids that I was at a Dennis DeYoung concert their reply was of course, "Who is Dennis DeYoung?" So in case you are like my kids and weren't alive during the 1970's - early '80's, Dennis DeYoung is one of the founding members of the band STYX. He was their lead vocalist and keyboardist, as well as the writer of many of their most popular songs. Still not ringing any bells?

How about this #1 hit song by STYX (written by Dennis DeYoung)?

"Babe"
Babe, I'm leaving, I must be on my way
The time is drawing near
My train is going, I see it in your eyes
The love, the need, your tears
But I'll be lonely without you
And I'll need your love to see me through
Please believe me, my heart is in your hands
And I'll be missing you.


Still nothing? Ok then, skip past the next 5 photos and go directly to my La Hacienda dinner review.


But if you are like me and are a fan of Dennis DeYoung and STYX (or are at least somewhat familiar with their music), then here are a few photos from the 6:45 show held by Dennis and his band that night.


Singing "Mr. Roboto"











And the last one, Dennis singing my favorite STYX song, "Lady"...





Are you familiar with the saying, "There may be snow on the rooftop but there is fire in the furnace?" IMO, Dennis DeYoung exemplifies this phrase. He and his band gave an awesome performance and is now on my Top 5 list of favorite Eat to the Beat concerts...and I've seen quite a lot of them over the years. If I didn't have a 7:45 ADR for dinner that night I would have gotten back in line to see their 8:00 show.


But speaking of my dinner, it is for that review that you are here to read so let's get on with it , shall we?

Immediately following the concert I quickly left the American Gardens Theatre and made my way to Mexico for my dinner at...




I actually made it to La Hacienda a little before my 7:45 reservation time, but they were able to seat me right away and by 7:40 I had this in my hand...


Classic Margarita - 100% Agave silver Tequila with orange liqueur and lime mix, served on the rocks with a salt rim


Now if you've previously read my dining reports you might be shocked that I didn't have an Avocado Margarita here. However, you may recall that on my last two visits to La Hacienda (March 2013, October 2014) the Avocado Margarita that I had here would have been more accurately called a "Crushed Ice Margarita".




The first time it happened I figured it was just a fluke but then when it happened again on my next visit, it made me a bit "gun shy" about ordering an Avocado Margarita at La Hacienda. But "gun shy" or not, I probably would have given it one more chance had I not had a perfect Avocado Margarita at San Angel Inn the previous day.





So having satisfied my Avocado margarita need the day before, I was open to trying another kind of margarita at La Hacienda...




There were a few that I considered ordering but then I remembered that I had enjoyed the Classic Margarita that I had here when my DH and I attended the Tequila Pairing Lunch held at La Hacienda the previous year. Plus as an added bonus, the Classic was the least expensive margarita on their menu and since they don't accept TIW at La Hacienda those $$$ add up rather quickly.


Anyway, their Classic Margarita was quite good so I was happy with my decision. Along with my drink, my server brought some chips and salsas to the table while I looked over their menu...




I can't recall if I had any of these and there's nothing in my notes about them so unfortunately I can't tell you if this was the same "yucky" red salsa ( think smoky barbecue sauce) that is served at San Angel Inn. Perhaps someone can chime in to answer this question??


Now on to La Hacienda's menu as of October 28, 2015...








There were several changes to the menu since I was last here in October 2014. The Tilapia entree that I had enjoyed here on my last two visits was missing (it was replaced by Red Snapper)...




But I was okay with that, because I really wanted to try something that I hadn't had here before. So my choice was the...


Taquiza - Taco sampler featuring grilled chicken with green tomatillo sauce, grilled steak with roasted Chipotle sauce and rajas poblanos, pork Chilorio served with queso fresco, and battered fish served with a Mayo-Chipotle sauce topped with cabbage


Let's look at these four tacos individually starting with my least favorite, the steak taco...



This one was not good. The steak was tough and very chewy. The tasty sauce, fresh queso and dollop of creamy avocado made this taco edible.


Not much better was the Grilled Chicken taco...



The chicken was very dry. Again it was edible thanks to the sauce and other toppings but nothing special.


The Fish taco was better though...



This had the same tasty mayo-chipotle sauce as the steak taco, plus the fish was much better than the steak so I enjoyed this one.


However, my favorite of the four tacos was the Pork Chilorio...




The pork was so moist and flavorful, so combined with the chipotle sauce and other toppings this taco was delicious. I wish I could have had a a platter of four pork tacos...ok, maybe 3 pork and 1 fish just for a little variety.


Also served with the tacos were a big bowl of rice (actually too big for one person)...





And Refried Beans topped with fresh queso...





I only had room for a taste of each of these but they were both good. The rice seemed to be different though than what I remember being served here previously...not better or worse but different. Can anyone confirm??



I was quite full so no dessert for me but here were the four options...




So if I'd liked 3 out of the 4 tacos included with the Taquiza platter I would probably recommend this and look forward to having it again the next time I visit La Hacienda. But with enjoying only 2 of the 4 (and paying $26 with no TIW discount available for them), I would have to say that I'll probably be trying something else the next time around. Perhaps the Carnitas Yucatecas entree since I really enjoyed the pork in my taco, if it is still on the menu when I return. But then again, I think I actually prefer San Angel Inn, plus they accept Tables in Wonderland.
​

Next up: Italian Food & Wine Pairing Lunch held at Via Napoli

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm really sorry to be missing you next October. I just can't get away then. Right now we are thinking of going back near the end of September. We would catch the opening of F&W and maybe a Halloween party.

I was there when the special area set up for Annual Passholders opened at 11:00, so was able to get my 3rd stamp and collect my 20th Anniversary port wine glass

We collected the wine glasses, too. I thought that it was a really nice thing for Disney to do.

Though it didn't work out quite as well for me, generally speaking I applaud their decision to serve a trio of items for each course this year. Also, the service was again wonderful, the food was very good, the wine pours were fairly generous, and like last year my tablemates were all friendly so overall I felt that the Italian Regional lunch was well-worth its $94 (plus tax) price. This luncheon is definitely on my wish list of F & W special events to attend next year!

I like the idea of having three items for every course. This looks like a really nice event.

And the last one, Dennis singing my favorite STYX song, "Lady"..

I love that song.

I can't recall if I had any of these and there's nothing in my notes about them so unfortunately I can't tell you if this was the same "yucky" red salsa ( think smoky barbecue sauce) that is served at San Angel Inn. Perhaps someone can chime in to answer this question??

We ate at La Hacienda the week before you did. I can't remember if the red salsa was different from San Angel's, but I think it might have been. All I really remember is the meltdown that our six year old granddaughter had when Mommy told her that she couldn't have any more chips.

I only had room for a taste of each of these but they were both good. The rice seemed to be different though than what I remember being served here previously...not better or worse but different. Can anyone confirm??

I think the rice was different from when we ate there in March of 2014. The corn was definitely different. All in all our meal wasn't as good as it was in 2014. We were slightly disappointed, although the five of us ate everything. We were all hungry.

But then again, I think I actually prefer San Angel Inn, plus they accept Tables in Wonderland.

We prefer San Angel, too, and I think that La Hacienda is off our rotation, especially since they don't take the TiW discount.

 

[Vernie822]

I think I'm around the age of your kids (I was born in 1990) and I DID know who Dennis Deyoung was... but I had no clue he was still alive, so I don't think I get any points for that, LOL!

Looks like they put on a great show, though. We considered using a Fastpass for it, do you think it was worth it?! Sounds like it would be if you don't want to have to wait in line.

Sorry your meal wasn't the greatest, at first glance it looks like it could have been so good. It's a shame it wasn't! I love tacos and I think it's great that they give you the option to have a variety.

I gotta say that margarita looks quite tasty At least that was a winner!

 

[vettegirl]

Interesting review of La Hacienda. It is not on my radar to try and reviews like this one confirm I am not really missing anything.

 

[Redwitch]

But if you are like me and are a fan of Dennis DeYoung and STYX (or are at least somewhat familiar with their music), then here are a few photos from the 6:45 show held by Dennis and his band that night.

Of course I know who Dennis DeYoung is - I even had dinner with him! And by having dinner with him, I mean he was two tables away at the Fly Fish!
Thanks as always for your reviews.

 

[auntfrannie]

Great review, Barb! When La Hacienda first opened,it was really good. On my first visit my nephew and I shared the Del Mar platter and ti was delicious! it was only on my last trip there (maybe 2 years ago) that I noticed it wasn't up to it's earlier standards. So disappointing. And no TiW so it's not on my list of must-dos.

 

[goofy4prez]

Nice update Barb. I was a big fan of Styx while growing up. I saw them several times including their last tour as Styx as we knew them to be, Kilroy Was Here (Mr. Roboto) Tour. I have to admit, I was not a big fan of that album or tour and the artistic differences between the band and Dennis DeYoung became irreconcilable during this time. I have to admit though Barb, I liked Tommy Shaw better than Dennis DeYoung. I did like Dennis with Lady and Don't let it End, but as a big fan of Styx and as a teen at the time I did not like Babe at all (like it now)... But my then girlfriend loved the song. LOL... I was a bigger fan of Tommy Shaw on his songs, Boat on a River, Fooling Yourself, Too Much Time On Your Hands, Renegade and Blue Collar Man. However, I will admit my favorite Styx song of all time was sung by Dennis DeYoung in Grand Illusion as was Come Sail Away (another favorite). So there you have it Barb, my favorite band growing up was Styx and I would love to have seen Dennis DeYoung even if it wasn't with Tommy, Chuck, John (RIP) and James.

As for your dining review of La Hacienda, I'm glad to have read it. I have read many mixed reviews of this place and yours was not exactly a glowing one either. I have tried a few restaurants in the past based off of your opinions and liked them. I have also gone to a couple of ones you didn't like and I should have listened to you. We had been tossing this restaurant around for going there for dinner and hoping for a good seat to watch Illuminations; after really mulling it around we decided to pass, but kept thinking perhaps we should. This review has reinforced that thought on just passing on it, dine elsewhere (we love SAI) and then stake out our claim around Crescent Lake to watch Illuminations.

 

[momof3princes]

Glad you had a great Eat to the Beat concert experience. I still love Mr. Roboto One of the songs I turn up and my kids complain...loudly
You confirmed that eating at the La Hacienda location for lunch is the best time to go there. Sorry your meal was not great

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I got a it behind - love the Tutto Regional Lunch review. I wasn't sure if DH and I would enjoy doing one of those lunches in October but you may have changed my mind!

La Hacienda has been a consistently good meal for us. I am sorry yours was off. I don't know that I will get there this year but I do hope to return in the future. Hopefully my experience will be a good one!

 

[jabead]

We prefer San Angel, too, and I think that La Hacienda is off our rotation, especially since they don't take the TiW discount.

La Hacienda has lost its luster for me. It will probably be a few years before I return. I'd rather go to SAI for my avocado margarita and Mexican food.

Looks like they put on a great show, though. We considered using a Fastpass for it, do you think it was worth it?! Sounds like it would be if you don't want to have to wait in line.

I gotta say that margarita looks quite tasty At least that was a winner!

I'm not sure it would be worth using your one Tier 1 FP+ if you are only there for a day or two. But since I had a long trip this time, it was well worth it to get a great seat close to the stage without having to stand in line forever. Another option though if you have Chase Disney card is to get a wristband at the Chase lounge to sit in their reserved area for an ETB show. They were giving them out (first come, first serve) on the day of each concert starting when they opened at 11:00 until they were all gone.

And the classic margarita was good. Not quite as good as the avocado one, but good.

Interesting review of La Hacienda. It is not on my radar to try and reviews like this one confirm I am not really missing anything.

Living in Texas I'm sure you have many great Mexican restaurants nearby. And if you do find yourself wanting Mexican food and margaritas while at Disney World, then San Angel Inn is the better choice, IMO.

Of course I know who Dennis DeYoung is - I even had dinner with him! And by having dinner with him, I mean he was two tables away at the Fly Fish!
Thanks as always for your reviews.

Oh wow, lucky you!

Great review, Barb! When La Hacienda first opened,it was really good. On my first visit my nephew and I shared the Del Mar platter and ti was delicious! it was only on my last trip there (maybe 2 years ago) that I noticed it wasn't up to it's earlier standards. So disappointing. And no TiW so it's not on my list of must-dos.

I agree Fran!

Nice update Barb. I was a big fan of Styx while growing up. I saw them several times including their last tour as Styx as we knew them to be, Kilroy Was Here (Mr. Roboto) Tour. I have to admit, I was not a big fan of that album or tour and the artistic differences between the band and Dennis DeYoung became irreconcilable during this time. I have to admit though Barb, I liked Tommy Shaw better than Dennis DeYoung. I did like Dennis with Lady and Don't let it End, but as a big fan of Styx and as a teen at the time I did not like Babe at all (like it now)... But my then girlfriend loved the song. LOL... I was a bigger fan of Tommy Shaw on his songs, Boat on a River, Fooling Yourself, Too Much Time On Your Hands, Renegade and Blue Collar Man. However, I will admit my favorite Styx song of all time was sung by Dennis DeYoung in Grand Illusion as was Come Sail Away (another favorite). So there you have it Barb, my favorite band growing up was Styx and I would love to have seen Dennis DeYoung even if it wasn't with Tommy, Chuck, John (RIP) and James.

As for your dining review of La Hacienda, I'm glad to have read it. I have read many mixed reviews of this place and yours was not exactly a glowing one either. I have tried a few restaurants in the past based off of your opinions and liked them. I have also gone to a couple of ones you didn't like and I should have listened to you. We had been tossing this restaurant around for going there for dinner and hoping for a good seat to watch Illuminations; after really mulling it around we decided to pass, but kept thinking perhaps we should. This review has reinforced that thought on just passing on it, dine elsewhere (we love SAI) and then stake out our claim around Crescent Lake to watch Illuminations.

Yay for being a Styx fan! Maybe Dennis will be there again this year and you will be able to see him?

I think it's probably wise to pass on La Hacienda, especially if you are wanting a good seat for Illuminations. Of the five or six times that I've had dinner there, only once did I have a table close to a window with a good view of the show.

Glad you had a great Eat to the Beat concert experience. I still love Mr. Roboto One of the songs I turn up and my kids complain...loudly
You confirmed that eating at the La Hacienda location for lunch is the best time to go there. Sorry your meal was not great

You've reminded me that it's been a long time since I've eaten at the Cantina. I think it's about time that I get back there for some nachos!

I got a it behind - love the Tutto Regional Lunch review. I wasn't sure if DH and I would enjoy doing one of those lunches in October but you may have changed my mind!

La Hacienda has been a consistently good meal for us. I am sorry yours was off. I don't know that I will get there this year but I do hope to return in the future. Hopefully my experience will be a good one!

Your August review of La Hacienda was actually what swayed me to have dinner there. I noticed the menu changes and spotted the taco sampler. Even though it ended up being only 50% good, I'm still glad that I tried it.

 

[samsteele]

Great review! I always love the shrimp tacos at the Mexico Booth at F&W and noticed the same item? is on the menu at La Hacienda. Haven't been in to try it yet. ps I remember Mr. Roboto from the 80s! Long live STYX.

 

[jabead]

Great review! I always love the shrimp tacos at the Mexico Booth at F&W and noticed the same item? is on the menu at La Hacienda. Haven't been in to try it yet. ps I remember Mr. Roboto from the 80s! Long live STYX.

I too have really enjoyed the shrimp taco from the Mexico F&W booth for the last two years. But I've never tried the shrimp tacos at La Hacienda so can't compare. I assume that for $26 you get at least three or four tacos at La Hacienda plus rice and beans...or at least I hope so.

 

[jabead]

First, you are probably wondering why I would schedule the Italian Regional Luncheon (held at Tutto Gusto on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the festival) and the Italian Food & Wine Pairing Lunch (held at Via Napoli only on Thursdays) on back to back days of my trip. When I booked and pre-paid for these events back in late July, I thought this would be only a 10 night trip (arriving on Friday evening and leaving on Monday morning). So that left only three possible days that I could do the Tutto Gusto lunch and just Thursday, Oct. 29th for Via Napoli. Not wanting to do them back to back, I attempted to book the Tutto Gusto lunch on Monday but it was already full, even though I called in the early morning of the first day that it was able to be booked. So apparently this luncheon has become a quite popular one, as I was only able to get into the one which was held mid-week...and I was just a party of 1. Therefore I considered myself lucky to be able to attend both lunches, even if I had to do them on back to back days.



So anyway, on the morning of Thursday, October 29th I had only the rest of the cheesecake from my Tuesday night dinner at Narcoossee's and a cup of coffee from the Belle Vue Lounge for my breakfast. {I should note that they had a special coffee blend at the lounge that I really enjoyed. I thought for sure that I took a photo of the sign with the name of the blend but sadly I can't seem to find it.} But anyway, no breakfast review for this morning of my trip so on to my Italian Food & Wine Pairing Lunch at Via Napoli...






After checking in at the outside podium, I was offered a glass of white wine sangria or a glass of ice water to drink while I waited outside with the other lunch guests.




I chose the sangria and it was very good...light, fruity, cold and refreshing.




Once they called out my name, I was escorted through the side door and directly into the sun room where I was seated at a large table for 8 in the back. There was a group of three from Texas (a couple plus a friend) already seated there and the remaining four seats remained empty throughout the lunch.

This time there would be only four courses (instead of the five served at the Tutto Gusto luncheon) so my place setting included 4 wine glasses plus a water glass...





There were two kinds of bread plus olive oil for dipping on the table...





I liked the presentation of the bread sticks in a glass vase...

​

Both the Italian bread and the crispy, thin bread sticks were good, but not as good as the foccaccia we were served at the Tutto Gusto luncheon...





Then our first course was served...​

Cavolfiori e Peperoni Piccanti with roasted cauliflower and spicy Italian peppers


Initially when I saw the name of our first course on the menu, I was expecting the salad to include pepperoni (as in the cured, dry sausage meat that we call pepperoni). Once the salad was served though I remembered that “Peperoni” is actually the Italian word for large peppers, as in bell peppers, and there is no Italian salami called by that name. In other words, if you travel to Italy and ask for a pepperoni pizza you will probably get a pizza topped with peppers.


The salad was paired with a red wine, a chianti from a Tuscany winery..





We were told by our presenter at this time that we would be taking a tour of Italy during our lunch with the four wine pairings we would be served...




So overall I felt the first course was rather underwhelming. The salad was good, but there was nothing really special about it. And for me, the Calposado chianti didn't really pair well with the salad.




Next came the second course, which was by far my favorite course...



Pizza Margherita with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and basil



This was served with a white wine, a pinot grigio from the far north province of Trentino...​

I was quite pleased with this course. The pizza was delicious and the pinot grigio wine paired well with it. While I've enjoyed the pizza at Via Napoli at least a dozen times, I'd never before had their margherita pizza. Now that I know how good it is I might consider ordering it whenever I do return to Via Napoli...although I wouldn't mind having a few slices of pepperoni on it (the American version of pepperoni, not the Italian). Another thing about the pizza that I'd like to mention is that this was about an 8" size, the perfect size for one person. I so wish they would offer this size on their regular menu at Via Napoli. What they call their individual size pizza (the smallest one that they offer) is probably about 12" in size and can be easily shared between two (or more) people...especially if you want to save room for dessert!


Ok, now on to the third course, which was the main course of this lunch...


Tagliatelle di Verdure - Homemade pasta, wood oven-roasted vegetables, and bechamel sauce


This was paired with another dry white wine, Le Marne Gavi from the Piedmont region of Italy.​

In my opinion this pasta dish would have been fine if it had not been considered the main course of this lunch. It was good but like the first course salad, rather unremarkable. The predominant flavor of the dish was of the roasted peppers (both red and green). While I happen to like peppers, I think this pasta would have benefited from some meat or seafood. The Gavi wine (made 100% from cortese grapes) that was paired with the pasta was one that I was previously unfamiliar with. It was dry but fruity so drinkable for me and it went fine with the pasta.



And that just leaves my least favorite course of this lunch (much to my surprise), the dessert...


Torta di Farina di Grano Saraceno & Gelato de Castagna - Buckwheat cake and chestnut gelato


This was paired with a glass of bubbly prosecco...



So two firsts for me with this dessert, as I had never before had anything made from buckwheat flour nor had I ever had chestnut flavored gelato. And now that I've tasted both, I'm in no hurry to have either of them again. If I was wanting (or needing) a gluten-free dessert, this cake would have been satisfactory I suppose. However, with no dietary restrictions, I would have preferred something else for dessert. I enjoyed all three of the desserts served at the Tutto Gusto lunch, I love the zeppole served at Via Napoli, and I had no problem eating the 3 day old Narcoossee's cheesecake. When it comes to dessert I'm really not all that picky...but I did not like this one very much.


Overall this meal was not really worth the $83 price (plus tax) for me, especially since it was void of any meat or seafood. Plus the fact that only one of the four courses (the pizza) was outstanding in my opinion. However, since the menus for these special F & W event lunches change not only from year to year but even from week to week, I would be willing to give this one another try next year. But then again, I might just do only the Italian Regional Lunch at Tutto Gusto and skip this one. I guess I have more than 5 months to decide.

​

Next up: My DH's lunch at ESPN Club

 

[pepperandchips]

Hi Barb! I love your report and the pictures! I am now following you on Instagram to torture myself with the gorgeous food photos. I am late to the party but all caught up (except I have not read all the comments) - forgive me if someone has pointed this out already:

So what was I missing? Why would anyone choose to pay more money by ordering from the Prix Fixe Menu?

You didn't factor in one of the courses at Monsieur Paul on the prix fixe menu - the escargots are their own course in addition to the appetizer selection. So if you are a hearty eater and love escargots this can be an ok value.

Would love to know more about the mystery cupcake at Boardwalk bakery! Can't wait to see what the renovations at Flying Fish and the sweet shoppe bring (hopefully an awesome bar)!!!

We love The Wave - I know it brings differing reviews but have never had a bad meal there. And the breakfast buffet is so good there. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment and salivating all the while...

 

[Redwitch]

Overall this meal was not really worth the $83 price (plus tax) for me, especially since it was void of any meat or seafood.

I agree - strange that it was meatless. Were they pouring seconds on the wines or one glass per course?

 

[jabead]

Hi Barb! I love your report and the pictures! I am now following you on Instagram to torture myself with the gorgeous food photos. I am late to the party but all caught up (except I have not read all the comments) - forgive me if someone has pointed this out already:



You didn't factor in one of the courses at Monsieur Paul on the prix fixe menu - the escargots are their own course in addition to the appetizer selection. So if you are a hearty eater and love escargots this can be an ok value.

Would love to know more about the mystery cupcake at Boardwalk bakery! Can't wait to see what the renovations at Flying Fish and the sweet shoppe bring (hopefully an awesome bar)!!!

We love The Wave - I know it brings differing reviews but have never had a bad meal there. And the breakfast buffet is so good there. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment and salivating all the while...

I interpreted this to mean that only lobster appetizer was also available as a main course, but since I didn't order from this menu or ask any questions about it I can't really say for sure. So you could be right about the escargots.

I too am looking forward to seeing what they do at Flying Fish. I had a great meal there in October so am looking forward to returning.

And the Wave's breakfast buffet will be making an appearance later on in my report so please stay tuned.

I agree - strange that it was meatless. Were they pouring seconds on the wines or one glass per course?

I think I remember them giving the gentleman at our table a second glass when he requested it but I don't recall them offering seconds to everyone. I can't say for sure though since my memory is getting fuzzy and there was nothing in my notes about it.

 

[jabead]

Towards the end of the lunch at Via Napoli I received a text from my DH that he had arrived and was in our room at the Boardwalk Inn. He was hungry and asked where he could get something to eat close by. I told him that he could find food at the Big River Grille, Boardwalk Bakery, or the ESPN Club...all places right there on the boardwalk. He'd been to the ESPN Club before (once by himself and once with my BIL) and had enjoyed it so that is where he chose to go for his mid-afternoon lunch.


By the time I finished my lunch and walked from Via Napoli to the ESPN Club, he had already ordered and was enjoying a beer while he waited for his food. Therefore, I didn't get a photo of the menu. We were catching up on our day's activities so far and after awhile realized that he still didn't have his food. The place was pretty empty in the middle of the afternoon and his server seemed to have disappeared. We finally flagged down the hostess after she seated some guests at a nearby table and asked about his food. A few minutes later the server finally reappeared with my DH's food...where she had been all that time, we will never know.


But anyway, here is what my DH chose...


Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with cheese and cole slaw on Texas toast


And a close up shot of the sandwich...




My DH liked that he was given a choice of french fries or a cucumber salad for his side. He chose the salad and really enjoyed it. The pulled pork wasn't the best but he said it was fine and did the job of filling him up when he was very hungry, having not eaten anything since he'd had breakfast that morning at home before heading to the airport.


Though neither of us were interested in ordering dessert, I did take a look at and took a photo of their menu...




The warm Bourbon-Pecan Brownie sounds wonderful...way better than the buckwheat cake that I had just had at Via Napoli!


So this was the first time that I'd set foot inside the Disney World ESPN Club, despite having walked by it a million times. I've seen photos of their nachos and they look delicious, so I might need to return there sometime when I'm staying at the Boardwalk. And then, of course, there's always that brownie dessert. ​

Next up: Dinner at Il Mulino