An Aussie's Journey. Our final meal before coming home (food porn)....the last post!

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by cdotla

Wow! Mother of updates!

First off - sounds like a great nite with EMH in the MK! A trip highlight from the sounds of it. And probably even better given that it was not planned, and you guys decided to put the camera away! Sometimes the greatest way to experience things is real and "in person", not behind the lens. I can sometimes forget that!

You had me dizzy recounting your travels in HS! No wonder you had to go back to the resort to rest!

I have never tried a Starring Rolls cupcake. You just now convinced me that I need to!

Thanks for the helpful review of Kouzzina. I have heard mixed reviews of this place since day 1 and opted not to go as I didn't want to risk being disappointed. Your photos have convinced me to give it a shot. I just won't be ordering the steak!

Ahhhh....your nighttime photos of the Boardwalk and the Y&BC make me yearn to be right back there again.

Looking forward to more!

It's funny! Now that I'm back, I really wish we had taken some pictures at EMH. But you're right; we really had a great time.

Yes - I definitely overdid the from one end of the park to the other end at HS! I keep saying "never again" - but I always end up being tour guide with the family. I'm definitely saying "never again with the extended family" this time. Think it'll work??

Sounds like you've got enough reasons to head back to WDW after your "last time" there....between the Starring Rolls cupcake, Kouzzina's and back at the Boardwalk/Y&BC....now I'm yearning to be back .

Originally Posted by mitchfishguard

we got to epcot that day about 1ish and although i would have loved to try to find you all, it was too hot for me and we didnt stay long. i even wore my orange crocs and welsh rugby shirt like i said i would!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry we missed you! It was really nice and cool in the Tequila Cave and a nice way to get out of the humidity and heat. But feel free to take a sip from my Lime Tequila...

Originally Posted by franandaj

We really enjoyed Kouzzina when we ate there in September, but I have never heard a good review of the steak. We had the Vongole (which was a little more sausage than clams), the Spanokopita, the Fisherman's Stew and some cheese dessert that I can't remember the name of. It was all excellent.

I'm glad you could add a favorable review to the naysayers out there!

Great pictures!

Thanks. I contemplated the lamb shank and the fisherman's stew....maybe next time.

[SoonerGirl]

Gorgeous BC pictures!

Sorry you didn't like your steak. Not sure if I'll ever try Kouzzina, I'm not a big fan of Greek food, but your DSs meal looked quite tasty!

[Luvchefmic]

You really captured the feel of BC as usual gorgeous pictures. If I ever stay on property I really would have to consider this resort. Nice review of your meal, I'd like to try it as one of my aunt's is originally from Greece and I absolutely LOVED her food (I will stay away from the steak though )

Looking forward to the next installment !

Ruthie

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

Gorgeous BC pictures!

Sorry you didn't like your steak. Not sure if I'll ever try Kouzzina, I'm not a big fan of Greek food, but your DSs meal looked quite tasty!

Thanks. If I ever make it back to Kouzzina's, I'm definitely doing the Pastitsio for myself. It really was delicious.

Originally Posted by Luvchefmic

You really captured the feel of BC as usual gorgeous pictures. If I ever stay on property I really would have to consider this resort. Nice review of your meal, I'd like to try it as one of my aunt's is originally from Greece and I absolutely LOVED her food (I will stay away from the steak though )

Looking forward to the next installment !

Ruthie

Thanks Ruthie. It's all about the new camera!!

[PrincessInOz]

I woke up this morning feeling distinctively ordinary; and it was really obvious to all of us that there was no way I would cope in a hot and busy park today.

So, we shelved our park plans and the boys headed down for a swim in SAB. We called the extended family and it turns out that they were all tired and wanted to spend the day lazing at their off-site resort.

It had been Mother’s Day two days ago and it was going to be my birthday in two days time. Spending time at the World with DH and DS was plenty present for me but the boys felt like they needed to get something else. And they were feeling distinctively guilty that they had not got anything for me yet. So, when they returned from their swim, I got conned into heading out shopping…at the Florida Mall.

Shopping in the US is always a great experience for an Aussie. The variety and pricing of everything is bigger and cheaper than what we can get in our local shops.

Naturally, DS found something that he loved!



This might be a big M&M but I bet it tasted awful!



We did indulge in the smaller variety that somehow did not manage to make their way back to Australia.

I was pleased to find a Pandora store in the Florida Mall. DH had bought me a Pandora gold/silver bracelet for Christmas and I am determined to fill it with “special moment” charms. I figured that Mother’s Day and my birthday qualified. I had also done my research on Pandora charms and knew that some items (particularly the gold; with diamonds) were *significantly* cheaper in the US, even with the exchange rate and tax, compared to Australia.

So, I hit the store whilst the boys wandered around.
It took me a while but I finally managed to whittle the selection down to two charms! These two look really pretty on my bracelet.



And in case anyone was wondering, if I were to be a true arbitrageur, I would have made a clear 25 - 30 % profit by buying these two items in the US and selling in Australia. [And for the record - if there are any Australian tax officers out there reading this - I declare that I bought these two items for my personal use and not for commercial resale in Australia. Feel free to come and audit my bracelet! ]

We ended up having lunch at the foodcourt in the Mall.

There was a fabulous salad bar there. DH got this selection.



I contemplated every option at the mall but in the end I also settled for a salad, which was all I could manage today.



Both salad selections were great!

I do my best in making sure that DS eats well.

Sadly, he opted for KFC!
He wanted 6 nuggets and DH went off to buy them. It turns out that the KFC Express at Florida Mall does not sell nuggets; so DH got the Chicken Tenders instead…..6 of them J. Poor DH – being a vegetarian, he didn’t realize the difference in size between the nuggets and the strips/tenders. There was a lot of chicken!



Completely happy with our shopping and meals, we headed back to BCV.

I’d been at the resort for almost 3 days and had not yet made it to the pool. Cold or no cold - an afternoon enjoying the pool seemed in order. I am happy to say that I am a BCV/SAB fan. It’s a great pool to spend time in.

[Up next – Dinner at Chefs de France, Epcot]

[SoonerGirl]

Love the charms that you got for your bracelet, good find!

My boys are both bottomless pits, they would have no trouble eating 6 of those big chicken strips

[kschafer]

You are really selling me on the idea of renting points to stay at BCV on my next trip! It's such a great location and SAB seems like an awesome way to relax

Love your mothers day/birthday presents!

[Kitty 34]

Enjoying your trip reports, PrincessInOz, and will have a sip of lime tequila (in your honor) when I'm out in Las Vegas tomorrow!

See ya on the game threads!!!

Kitty

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

Love the charms that you got for your bracelet, good find!

My boys are both bottomless pits, they would have no trouble eating 6 of those big chicken strips

DS is getting to be a black hole himself. If I'd let him, he would have had no trouble eating those 6 chicken strips....by himself!

Unfortunately, he's a little on the -size side. So, I have to watch what he eats.

Originally Posted by kschafer

You are really selling me on the idea of renting points to stay at BCV on my next trip! It's such a great location and SAB seems like an awesome way to relax

Love your mothers day/birthday presents!

Katie - If you give me 1 year's notice to save up pennies, I'll come alone to share and split the costs with you .

Originally Posted by Kitty 34

Enjoying your trip reports, PrincessInOz, and will have a sip of lime tequila (in your honor) when I'm out in Las Vegas tomorrow!

See ya on the game threads!!!

Kitty

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great time in Vegas...yeah baby...Vegas. See ya on the games threads when you get back.

[manntra]

Thank you for your review on Kouzzina.....I don't know many who have eaten there and the food looks interesting to me...
Keep in mind that your Pandora bracelet also fits Chamilia charms. Disney charms. Very cute Disney charms.
Looking forward to your review of Chefs and what you ate there...thinking of adding a lunch there in October...you know when you "won't" be there....

Tracy

[cdotla]

What beautiful charms! I have never heard of those before. Do you have a photo of your bracelet with the charms? Would love to see it!

Sorry you weren't feeling well on your b-day (that's no fun), but going shopping sounds like a good fix-all!

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by manntra

Thank you for your review on Kouzzina.....I don't know many who have eaten there and the food looks interesting to me...
Keep in mind that your Pandora bracelet also fits Chamilia charms. Disney charms. Very cute Disney charms.
Looking forward to your review of Chefs and what you ate there...thinking of adding a lunch there in October...you know when you "won't" be there....

Tracy

I looked at the Chamila charms....Disney ones. If I go back in October, I'll be buying a silver bracelet specific for 'fun' charms and ones that I won't add to the "special occasion" bracelet.

Mmmm....October. I'm thinking of perhaps making some ADRs...just in case. But I don't want to do anything until the F&W schedule comes out....and I suspect that I may end up just 'snacking' around the World.

Chef's coming up !

Originally Posted by cdotla

What beautiful charms! I have never heard of those before. Do you have a photo of your bracelet with the charms? Would love to see it!

Sorry you weren't feeling well on your b-day (that's no fun), but going shopping sounds like a good fix-all!

I'll grab a photo sometime today and post it up!

[PrincessInOz]

We had originally got an ADR for 4 adults at Chefs de France for an “adult’s night out”. DB, his girlfriend, DH and I had thought we would have a nice relaxing dinner and afterwards we would check out the BoardWalk (via a DisMeet – up next). Our parents were going to babysit the kids.

When we called DB in the morning, it turned out that he wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t keen to head out for dinner. Given the way the week had turned out with the extended family, this wasn’t wholly unexpected…. disappointing, but not unexpected.

The 3 of us were definitely going.
I called LuvChefMic (Did you say that I should have called you??) to see if she could come along for dinner. We had planned to meet tonight at the DisMeet.
Sadly, it didn’t work out this time….but next time…I’ll definitely be calling you LuvChefMic!

But the 3 of us were definitely going.
[I seem to have a sense of déjà vu here. Anyone else feel this way?]

After a relaxing afternoon at SAB, we got dressed for dinner and headed across to the International Gateway. The International Gateway is strategically placed between England and France at Epcot. I always think of it as the Epcot Chunnel.

After clearing customs and showing our passports, we bumped into a favourite friend.


And then we made our way to Chefs de France where admission was by special ADR code only. We gave our name and were advised to wait. A number of people tried to walk-up, but were turned away.


(NOTE – This picture taken after we had finished dinner.)


We waited 20 minutes before our table was available.



As always, we studied the dessert menu carefully before making our dinner choices. Don’t tell the boys, but I had a cunning plan for my dinner choices!

This French Baguette arrived at our table – warm, crusty and SO FRESH that we had to slap our hands away!



I opted for the Bisque de Homard (that’s lobster bisque to me); instead of the Soupe a l'oignon Gratinee (Apologies - my French accent sounds horrible!).



Astonishingly, I didn’t care for the soup and felt that it lacked a little bit of body (or perhaps in this case, exoskeleton). I should have gone with the Onion soup instead.

The boys didn’t order Appertisers.

So, DS couldn’t or didn’t want to look whilst I ate.



DH is obviously older and bit braver!



After my soup, Entrée was served!

This is what DH ordered – Lasagnes de legumes du soleil a l'huile d'olive au thym.



Amazingly YUM! And on the inside, it sure looked a lot like the ratatouille from Ratatouille and it was perfect for my vegetarian DH.

DS didn’t care for anything from the kid’s menu and ordered Gratin de macaroni instead.




The Gruyere cheese topping was delicious but this dish was dry. We ended up adding some of the tomato sauce from the Ratatouille to moisten it up. Once we did this, this dish was also pretty tasty. I'm not sure what we would have done if we didn't have the extra sauce!

Don’t anyone tell Donald; but I ended up with the pick of the night - Canard au miel, haricots vert et pommes de terre douce.



The duck leg and confit were beautifully cooked – moist, tender and perfectly teamed with the honey sauce. The sweet potato mash was soft and fluffy and balanced out the saltiness of the duck seasoning. I like my vegetables slightly crunchy so the beans were a little overcooked for me. Despite the beans, this was probably my third favourite dish of this trip (after the Saganaki and the Barramundi).

And my cunning dinner plan? Well, it went off without the boys suspecting a thing!

The boys ordered dessert – Crème Brulee. I knew from DisBoard photos and blogs that the Crème Brulee was good and that the serve was big. As these pictures show, I shared in both their serves.

That’s my spoon in my ‘half’ of DH’s dessert.



And the smaller empty section is what DS let me eat from his!



The crème was exactly as it ought to be – creamy, full of vanilla and sweet in a perfect blend; none of which overpowered the other. And the Brulee on top had that lovely cracking sound and crunch to add texture to the crème.

The boys stayed to play a bit in Epcot…Me? I had a DisMeet to make!

[Up next – another DisMeet and more presents!]

[Luvchefmic]

Creme Brulee YUMYUMYUM........Yes you did call me Yes you did call me

You are a good friend !

[Mum from oz]

Your dinner looks delicious and is making me hungry!! Loved the Pandoras you picked up. I can't wait to get some of my own when I go over.

Reading your TR is making me so excited for mine. Might pop over and read your PTR while I wait for the next installment!!