10 Days of Dining at Disneyland and Southern Cali with Pictures!

[DLFan123]

After an enjoyable day at DL, we were more than ready for our lunch at Blue Bayou! This is such a neat experience, and we highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to try it. We had a reservation and arrived to the restaurant about 15 minutes early. We waited for a bit, because we had made the special request for a table by the water. They don't allow you to make that request in advance (or if they do they don't actually save one of those tables for you). After you arrive you just have to wait for the next one to empty. In our case on this particular day, it did take a little while, but we thought it was worth the wait.

We started the meal with the traditional basket of rolls they bring out.

These are fine. Nothing special, nothing wrong with them either. They are like a French bread roll, not a sweet roll and not sourdough.

For my beverage I ordered a mint julep!

Yum! That's right, you can get a mint julep as your beverage at BB, and then it is served with free refills. I vowed right then and there to drink this one, plus a second. Just to get my fill.

We odered our meals and were each served a house salad.

This was mine. It is served with candied pecans, bleu cheese, dried cranberries and grape tomatoes, all over mixed greens with a tangy citrus dressing.

I love this salad, but the last time I had it, the dressing was tossed in to the salad, and that was much better than this. This was just a little heavy on the dressing for me. It is so dark in this restaurant that I couldn't see just how much dressing there was in a giant glob in the middle of my salad! Otherwise I would have scraped some off. It was only later when we looked at our pictures that we realized.

This is DP's salad, the same as mine minus the bleu cheese. DP hates bleu cheese!

I guess there are some red onion slivers on top also. You can't see them on my salad because the dressing had drown them all out! I have noticed how popular onions are on the Disboards. I'm sure this salad can be modified and the onions excluded.

For my entree, I chose the crab cakes.

OMG these are delicious. Everything about this dish is perfect. The sauce underneath the crab cakes is very tasty, even the green beans are so yummy! I didn't want to leave a single bean behind. There is a good portion of the blue bayou potatoes underneath the crab cakes also, which you can't really see. These are my favorite potatoes! They are cheesy and creamy, but they have a little bite to them. I think it is horseradish. The only trouble with this meal is that it is a very large portion and there was no way I could eat all of this. I actually packed up a whole crab cake and carried it back to the hotel to finish later!

DP ordered the portabella macque choux.

This is normally served over couscous, but DP had requested the blue bayou potatoes instead. She initially wasn't brought either, but the waitress later took care of that for her. DP loved her meal. She says that the marinade is delicious. I managed a taste of her meal and I agree. The flavors are tangy and savory. All very good and a nice vegan option. This is also a large portion.

We were too full for dessert, but my meal wasn't complete without this.

My second mint julep!

All told, we loved this meal and love this restaurant. While it is worth waiting for a table by the water sometimes, it isn't necessary. We've had very lovely meals sitting farther back in the restaurant. It is also a little more well-lit the farther away from the water you get, which is nice if you like to see what you're eating. Still though, there is just something that can't be beat about seeing the Pirates of the Caribbean boats floating by, hearing the crickets and the banjo playing in the distance...

 

[DLFan123]

After our late lunch at Blue Bayou, we returned to our hotel. Later on that evening I ate my leftover crab cake, and DP and I both split the last of the cheese popcorn in the room. We snacked on fudge and skipped dinner altogether. It was nice to take it a little easier this evening.

The next day, we were up early for our last day at Disneyland.

I apologize for going astray, but here are some pictures from our last morning at DL.

Partners, the castle and some of the beautiful summer flowers.

We took a trip through Pinocchio's Daring Journey.

Look at him! He's got no strings! (sorry, I couldn't resist)

We hung out with this little guy by the castle.

We have seen lots of critters at DL over the years, but never a turtle until now!

Then it was time for breakfast on Main Street!

The Jolly Holiday Bakery was such a hit our first time that we wanted to indulge again!

We started by splitting this scone:

I should have asked what it was. It was their seasonal scone. It definitely had a citrus taste to it, perhaps some almond slivers baked in and then I think the little bits of fruit were dates. It was very yummy. DP is more into scones than I am, but this was probably the best scone I've ever had, and I'm not really a huge fan of citrus flavors in my pastries. I would not hesitate to order another scone at this bakery!

We also split this:

This was so good! Nice and moist and sweet. The combo of cheese and fruit was a nice spin, because one reason I never order danish is because I can never decide which to have, cheese or fruit! So this danish was perfect!

Our conclusion after dining here twice, the Jolly Holiday Bakery is a success! And a perfect spot to stop for a quick breakfast on Main Street!

 

[DLFan123]

Well sort of...

This was our last day at Disneyland, so after taking in a few more rides, we were ready for lunch. I was determined to eat at Carnation Cafe for one particular reason; I wanted a rep-eat of the best banana split I've ever had! We ate this the summer before and I had been dreaming of it ever since. We arrived at the restaurant and requested a table outside on the patio.

We were seated quickly in a nice shady spot. We then looked at the menu. I'm not sure why they did this, but they changed the menu and they no longer offer the banana split! and happened to me! I was so sad and stunned. DP tried to console me but I was basically inconsolable for a few moments. Finally we decided we'd better order something.

This is what we chose, the new fried pickles appetizer. It looks oddly similar to the fried pickles at sci-fi in WDW. These were ok. This was my first time eating fried pickles, and I guess I thought they'd be sliced in little rings like fried zuchini slices. For me, the breading was a little too crispy; it was abrasive to the inside of my mouth. It's never good when your food injures you. And I still wasn't getting my banana split...

Oh well. We didn't even order lunch, just split this measly portion of fried pickles spears and left. I was moping down Main Street when voila!

 

[DLFan123]

I am in! Love, love, loved our trip to DL in 2010! I will drag myself away from WDW one of these years and go back!

We are meat eaters and Ralph Brennan's was our favorite meal on our trip. So much so that we went back a 2nd time. I do agree that it was pricey. I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed!

I'm glad you are here reading along! I think our experience with our first server really set the tone for this meal, and that is probably part of why we enjoyed the food less than if it had gone off without a hitch. Also, it does sound like the meat items are the hits at this place! I still want to try the quick service for the dessert. It looks so good!

 

[DLFan123]

I'm glad to hear that the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich is good! It's on my list of things I want to try. I LOVE fried green tomatoes.

I might try to replicate it at home one of these days.

Sounds good. I've never tried to replicate any Disney food, but I know they have the recipes available for some items. Good luck! You'll have to let me know how it works out if you try to make it at home. I do think it's a great idea-fried green tomatoes in a sandwich!

When I was a kid, there was a seafood salad that they sold at the French Market that my entire family loved. My mom tried over and over to try to make that salad, but she just couldn't quite get the combo of textures and flavor of the dressing right. I can remember when we'd go to Disneyland, on our last day, my parents would order two of those salads to go and we'd keep them in our ice chest (since we had driven there, and this was before most hotel rooms had little fridges) and eat those salads as we drove home. Looking back it is a wonder somebody didn't get food borne illness...

 

[DLFan123]

I definitely wasn't full after splitting those fried pickle spears with DP, but I'd certainly had my fill of salty food at least for a little while. As we were leaving Carnation Cafe, I recalled reading about the new Ghirardelli location that had recently been added to the Pacific Wharf area over at DCA. So even though it was super hot and super inconvenient, we made the walk all the way to the back of DCA to the fountain to fulfill my dream.

This is a traditional banana split. While not as good as the one they used to serve over at DL at Carnation Cafe, this really hit the spot. The venue still has a little distance to go to learn how to absorb and serve the massive crowd it is drawing, but we didn't have to wait too long. There really aren't enough tables, but we managed to snag one thanks to some other slow movers and DP's keen eye. I am glad they added the soda fountain to DCA. It's nice to have a spot to get some really good ice cream at this park now. I just wish it wasn't tucked so far back into the park.

The other thing is (and it is such a little thing that makes a big difference) I wish you had the option to order this either to stay or to go, and if staying you could be served in an actual dish, versus the flimsy little plastic boat it is served in. I would have enjoyed it that much more if it was served properly.

 

[DLFan123]

After we finished our split, we headed back into DL and enjoyed some of our favorite rides for the last time this trip.

We already knew what we were having for dinner this evening, and we planned to eat while we waited for Fantasmic. This is one of my favorite things to do-sit on the warm ground along the Rivers of America and wait a ridiculously long time for this show. It is just such a great feeling, and I have memories of doing it with my family when I was younger. I grabbed a spot, and DP headed to the Royal Street Veranda for a couple of our favs.

I had the clam chowder in a bread bowl. Everytime I'm at Disneyland I have to have this! It is so good, creamy and yummy. I guess it could have more clams if I had to criticize something. The portion could also be larger! I like that it is served in a bread bowl (and they bake these across the way over at DCA), but I can never eat all the bread and at least half ends up in the trash.

DP ordered something she raves about constantly:

This is vegetarian gumbo. All I can say is this must just be really good, because DP emphatically dislikes most soups, and she not only eats this, but can't stop telling me how good it is, both while she is devouring it and frequently in between trips. I have tasted it, and it isn't really my thing. It has a bit of a tabasco flavor, which I don't care for. (She fills hers with extra tabasco also.)

I know the picture makes it look gross, but trust her, it is wonderful!

We enjoyed our dinners on the ground, but we still had room for a last treat before Fantasmic was due to start.

DP was up again while I held our spot. She came back with our tasty dessert, the Mickey beignets, available at the Mint Julep window behind the French Market.

In my opinion, these are one of the best values at DL. You can choose from either 4 or 6, and the price is very reasonable. We greedily gobbled up all six of ours (which are served in a paper sack filled with powdered sugar). Yum! The perfect way to end our meal; they are light, hot and fresh every time.

After this healthful meal, we sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the show, which was spectacular as always, with Mickey making his triumphant comeback atop the house on Tom Sawyer's Island and all the characters coming out for a congratulatory wave aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat! It just doesn't get much better than that.

 

[minniebeth]

Loving your dining reviews! Some of our favorite Disney memories are our trips to DL, so it's so nostalgic to follow along!
It's amazing how different the food at DL is from WDW.
Those Mickey beignets look a-mazing!
Thanks for sharing!

 

[DLFan123]

On our way out of the park, we couldn't resist one last peak in the new bakery. Even though we were stuffed, DP agreed to let me get this little treat:

The Matterhorn Macaroon

We ate this a couple of days later and it was still so delicious, soft, fresh and full of coconut. The icing on top really pushed this past good to great!

 

[DLFan123]

Loving your dining reviews! Some of our favorite Disney memories are our trips to DL, so it's so nostalgic to follow along!
It's amazing how different the food at DL is from WDW.
Those Mickey beignets look a-mazing!
Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad you are enjoying them! It's always so fun reliving the trip through the food we ate. My goal is to get this report wrapped up before we leave Friday night! Wish me luck!

 

[DLFan123]

The next morning we left Anaheim and headed south for Carlsbad. This was a place DP used to come for vacation as a child, so she was very excited for us to travel there together. We had a wonderful time and actually spent another 5 nights down by the coast. We didn't take pictures of all of our food, mostly because we didn't think anybody would really care to see them. But we did do some photographing, so here goes.

Our first night in Carlsbad, we watched the sunset from the pier.

It was so beautiful. Afterwards, we picked up food from the Harbor Fish Cafe, a place DP had eaten many many times.

They do casual table service, or walk up to go.

DP had the fish and shrimp combo:

This was good but was too much food for her!

I went with the fish and clams, with a side of clam chowder:

Again, good, but way too much food! The clam chowder was a little thin for my liking, but it had a very good taste. The clams were so delicious and the tartar sauce was excellent!

We ate this meal in our hotel room, just relaxing and enjoying being near the crisp salt air.

After our meal, I had a special treat I'd saved for dessert!

A Mickey cake pop! To tell you the truth, I don't even remember what kind of cake this was. I think it was good. DP says I didn't enjoy it that much. I don't think she had any. We were both still so full from the fried foods we'd had for dinner. Maybe that is why it didn't seem to her like I enjoyed it. Even though I don't remember it, I'd get one again in the future.

 

[DLFan123]

We spent the next day by the beach, enjoying Carlsbad. We didn't take any food pics this day, so here are a few from the beach and our hotel.

Our beach umbrella, which we'd checked as one of our free bags on our SW flight.

Pretty flowers at our hotel.

The tree right outside our balcony.

For dinner this day, we ate at a family restaurant called Garcia's, which was right in town, walking distance from the hotel. It wasn't the best, wouldn't really recommend it. Nothing was horribly wrong; we just didn't care for it much. We were overall so underwhelmed, we just couldn't bear to photograph whatever it was that we ate.

Next up, San Diego and lots of seafood with pics!

 

[DLFan123]

The next day, we packed up and headed further south to San Diego. We checked into our hotel and then headed across the street to a little street fair that was set up just outside the Maritime Museum.

We enjoyed this icy snow cone as we browsed the vendors' merchandise.

This was pina colada and strawberry flavored. Yum! We were pretty satisfied with this.

 

[rachel09985]

Wow I want that macaroon and Mickey beignets. The beignets at wdw pofq arent good!

 

[DLFan123]

Wow I want that macaroon and Mickey beignets. The beignets at wdw pofq arent good!

I have heard that about the ones at POFQ, which is really too bad. The ones at DL are so delicious! I haven't ever had beignets in New Orleans, but I've had them a couple of times at restaurants elsewhere. The ones in DL are the best!

I want a macaroon now!

 

[minniebeth]

Love, love, love Carlsbad!
I also associate it with the very first (and sadly only) In and Out meal I've had!
We love DLR, and I pray that the Matterhorn Macaroons still exist when I get back there someday!

Enjoying your report~

 

[DLFan123]

Love, love, love Carlsbad!
I also associate it with the very first (and sadly only) In and Out meal I've had!
We love DLR, and I pray that the Matterhorn Macaroons still exist when I get back there someday!

Enjoying your report~

Hi! Glad you are enjoying the report. We just got in late last night from our quick trip to DLR, and the Matterhorn Macaroons are still there! I think they'll be around for a while. I'll get back to posting the rest of the report and pics from this Sept trip after I get back into the swing of things with work and life. I regret that I didn't take any more pics of the macaroons for you!

 

[wiigirl]

Love your pictures! All that food looks so good!

 

[DLFan123]

Love your pictures! All that food looks so good!

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the pics! Just a few more days of food left to post.

 

[DLFan123]

After we walked around at the street fair for a little while, we went back to the hotel, swam a little and checked out the view of the sunset over the bay from our room.

This is the Star of India from seen from our balcony. You can see the little fair just in the street all along the base of the ship.

This is our view looking out the other direction.

We decided to walk over to Seaport Village for dinner.

It was breathtaking walking along the harbor this time of evening. The dim light reflecting on the water with all the boats was just spectacular to see.

We saw this little guy on our way.

He was looking for his dinner, too.

Finally we arrived at the restaurant. We've eaten here before and found the food to be hit or miss, but we can't resist the atmosphere. Tonight we decided to start with something that is reliably decent at this restaurant, the seafood stuffed mushrooms. We shared these as an appetizer.

These are yummy cheesy creamy goodness. The taste of the cream, sherry and cheddar is delicious to me. I could see it being a little heavy for some people (even DP but she devoured her share of these right away this time), and there is plenty of seafood, but the other tastes crowd it out a bit. It probably depends what you are looking for, but I would definitely order these again.

DP ordered the fried shrimp tacos as her entree.

I believe these were a special for the evening and not a part of their everyday menu. She enjoyed these. I recall enjoying them as well. The refried beans and southwest tastes were a nice surprise at this mostly basic seafood restaurant.

I ordered the stuffed shrimp.

The waiter had warned me that this would be nearly identical to our appetizer in that the stuffing and sauce are the same. I actually found it to be a little different, since it wasn't covered in cheese. The rice pilaf and veggies gave it some more balance. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I was stuffed pretty quickly.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at this restaurant this time, and we will definitely return during our next San Diego vacation.