So Wednesday basically went by, and I had been checking ADRs a few times on my phone. Eventually, while I was sitting at the Contemporary bus stop at about 4:20pm, I noticed that a new slot was available for Flying Fish at 5:30 (we prefer eating at early times usually). I was so excited! I called my mom and asked if I should make the booking, and she approved. So I got on the next bus to Hollywood Studios and walked to the Boardwalk, while she got ready and walked from the Yacht Club.
Here's the menu again (it didn't change between Tuesday and Wednesday).
Our server, Chauncey, was extremely friendly and the best we've had at Flying Fish. She brought over the sourdough bread with butter (I really liked the addition of pine nuts or something else crunchy in the bread).
For an appetizer, I wanted to get something I haven't tried before (which ruled out most of the appetizers).
Instead, I ordered the mushroom side. I don't really love mushrooms, but these were very well prepared and I liked the addition of herbs. It was a big portion, so I couldn't finish this dish. We simply kept it around when the entrees came and my mom enjoyed the rest of it as a side.
My mom picked the tomato and buffalo mozzarella, which was great as usual. It's a simple, very well-executed caprese salad, with juicy tomatoes and slightly salty mozzarella.
My entree was the surf and surf special: horseradish and brioche-crusted flounder with rock shrimp "scampi", fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, eggplant, fennel confit, and a caper, niçoise olive, meyer lemon, and herbs meunière. I honestly don't know why I ordered this, as it was extremely similar to a disappointing entree I had here over the summer (cobia with fried soft shell crab, tomatoes, eggplant, and a niçoise olive, citrus, and caper meunière). The summer entree was extremely salty, and I was hoping this dish wouldn't have the same problem.
Well, I'm happy to say this dish wasn't overly salty at all (the summer dish must've been a fluke). I loved taking a bite of the mild fish (which was soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside) with the sweet and garlicky shrimp, tomato, sweet fennel, and salty olives and capers. This was a delicious dish, and I really loved the vibrant colors and Mediterranean flavors.
My mom picked her favorite dish here, the signature snapper with the red wine and cassis butter reduction on the side. Once again, she really enjoyed this (and I tasted some and liked it as usual). Getting the heavy, meaty sauce on the side really helps us both enjoy it more (as it's very good, but we don't need too much of it). The fish itself was less rectangular than it's been in the past - I like this presentation.
We also ordered a side of young spinach - it was really good - spinach, lemon, and garlic is a great combination.
We had both decided that we were going to split the cheese plate again. However, we changed our minds upon looking at the dessert menu.
My mom picked the chocolate dessert. Over the summer, this dish was exactly the same but incorporated Thai chili. I liked it, but I'm happy that my mom was able to enjoy this without the spice. It's a lovely dessert that combines chocolate with satisfyingly savory, smokey flavors.
Since I'm a strawberry lover, I had to try the frangelico, white chocolate, and strawberry mousse implosion with hazelnut chiffon, pomegranate-balsamico strawberries, and a strawberry-basil coulis. With typical Flying Fish flair, this dish was beautiful. The mousse itself was creamy and had a sweet white chocolate flavor; there was a small amount of strawberry mousse on the inside as well. The bottom layer of the dessert had a nutty flavor and crunchy texture from the hazelnuts, and I just loved how the dish was full of fresh strawberries and other great touches (I love strawberries with balsamic, and strawberries with basil - I wish there had been a bit more of the coulis). Overall, this was a great dessert and worth the indulgence.
(If we had gotten a third dessert, it would've easily been the PB&J crème brûlée, but I'm a strawberry person more than a peanut butter person, so no regrets
)
This was probably our best meal ever at Flying Fish, from a food and service standpoint, and it wasn't completely over. Before we left, Chauncey brought over some Swedish Fish to go. What a kind touch - my mom loves Swedish Fish! I'm sure next time we go to Flying Fish, we'll try to ask for Chauncey, as she was the first server we've had there who provided really excellent service.
Overall, I still think Artist Point is my favorite WDW restaurant. But the competition is close - the past two Flying Fish meals have brought it up even more, and I'd say FF is probably in my top 3 (with Artist Point and Yachtsman, just ahead of Citricos and Jiko). Overall, I really like most of Disney's signature restaurants (including Brown Derby and Le Cellier dinner).
Fortunately, plenty of ADR's are still available - the one meal we're definitely having is Le Cellier lunch (I need that duck confit crêpe before it disappears 
).
