Erikarate
married her prince
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2001
- Messages
- 608
RECAP...
The players:
Me, DH, DD 9, DS 7.
Where we stayed:
4 days at Portofino Bay Concierge(Universal Studios), 9 days at BoardWalk Villas 9 (1 BR unit)
Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!
Friday, July 9
Dinner, Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific Resort
We weren't able to get a ressie for for Emerils, however Tchoup Chop is Emerils asian/polynesian restaurant...
We took a pleasant boat ride from Portofino Bay to CityWalk and then transferred to a boat to Royal Pacific resort. We toured the resort after dinner and it is lovely...Universals answer to the Polynesian resort though more of a modern artsy feel (IMO the Poly feels a little "1960's" even though I love it).
The restaurant, though small, was meticulously detailed and well-themed with lei chandeliers and a zero-edge "pond" in the center with lilly pads.
We were given a chinese take-out container of rice crisps with a peanut dipping sauce. Wow! The sauce was similar to the one they serve at Ohana. It was yummy. I ordered a coconut flavored cocktail (sorry can't remember the name). It was decadent with toasted coconut on top...I had only one as it was very rich.
For my appetizer I had the Emerils Big Island Style Poke Ahi Tuna tossed with Sesame Peanut Dressing, Ogo Seaweed, Toasted Peanuts and served with Won Ton Chips. The tuna is uncooked and sushi quality and took on the flavor of soy and sesame oil. Very nice. I also think there were enoki muchrooms with this even though it is not listed on the menu. I then had the moo shu vegetable with Spicy Eggplant, Snow Peas, Shiitake Mushrooms, Vegetable Fried Rice, Spicy Garlic Glaze, Butter Lettuce Leaves and Sesame Pancakes. This was very good, not a typical Chinese-style moo shu, however it was a little too salty.
DH had the chef's sampler which consisted of three courses. I didn't write down all the details of his meal and since it was a special, it's not listed on the menu. However DH reports it was one of the best meals he ever had. First course was a tuna sushi. Second course was tempura soft shell crab. Third course was Pan Roasted Filet Mignon with Red Bliss Potatoes, Char Sui, Port Wine-Anise Reduction Sauce, Melting Brie Cheese and Sweet Onion Crisps. Yum...after typing this I wish I had tried a bite!!
The kids both had a perfect filet mignon with mashed and green beans. They ate this all up!!
Dessert was equally as heavenly. DH and I had the banana creme pie which was at least 4 inches high with chunks of banana with a caramel sauce and chocolate shavings. DS had a chocolate-heaven type dish...I think it was a brownie with lots of chocolate frosting. DD had some kind of sundae.
Service was excellent. We had many people waiting on us. They appeared to work in teams. Water was always filled, napkins refolded at my place when I returned from the ladies room...etc
Overall rating: 9 1/2 - Would make a special trip here even if we were not staying at Universal.
Another word about Portofino Bay...each night we would return to our room and find soft music playing on the stereo, our fluffy beds turned down, lights dimmed, and chocolates on our pillow. What a nice way to end a long day in the parks...
Saturday, July 10
Again we had breakfast in the lounge (see Part I)...
We spent the day at Islands of Adventure and had a great time. I recommend however doing the water rides last as we were soaked to the skin for half the day!! We worked up and appetite and decided to do a grab and go vs. sit-down after having a big meal the previous evening.
Lunch, Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous
The restaurant is well themed as is all of Seuss Landing, one of the lands at Island of Adventure. There really is not a straight line in the place, including the queque line railings. Seuss Landing was one of our favorite places in all of USO.
DH and I had the chicken caesar salad. DS had the pepperoni pizza and DD cheese pizza. All was good...typical counter service quality. The best was however the chocolate brownie. DS still talks about it and says it was one of the best things he ate all trip!!!
Overall Rating: 7 - great atmosphere and brownies...decent counter service type food.
Swam and napped at the hotel...woke up in time to check out the evening offerings at the club lounge.
Evening Offerings - Portofino Bay Club Lounge
I say "offerings" vs. dinner because although one could probably make a meal out of it, it is more of a antipasta. From what I recall there was assorted cheeses (i.e. smoked gouda, cheddar, goat) and italian deli meats (i.e. prosciutto, capacola, salami). Also olives, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, red grapes, and assorted crackers. Also was assorted alcoholic beverages. It was very very good, but as I said before not nearly as good as AKL.
Late night they had cookies and chocolates out. I think the cookies were slice and bake. The chocolates were good.
I would have been fine for the evening on what I ate at the lounge, however the kids didn't eat much, so we dicided to try the deli/pizza place at the hotel.
Dinner, Sal's Market Deli
We found this place very charming. It is counter service, though they will deliver your pizza to the table for you. They had a variety of sandwiches and salads as well. We ordered a cheese pizza with half roasted garlic. I also had a side of coleslaw which looked so good I couldn't resist. I was happy I ordered it...not too much mayo, cold crunchy cabbage.
The pizza was good for Florida standards (less doughy than most), though I sent it back once as it was IMO undercooked. Sorry to complain but I live in CT and we have fantastic pizza here (NY style and New Haven pizza). I did enjoy it nevertheless.
Overall rating: 7 1/2 - Very good, would come back, especially for a lunch, the salads looked great.
You'd think we would have had enough to eat...but we ended up at the Gelateria (italian ice cream)...
Dessert, Gelateria (also at PBH)
I had Vanilla and strawberry in a waffle cone, DH had mocha and vanilla. The kids had similar in a cup. It was very flavorful, but not very creamy like ice cream, more like ice milk...probably less fat. It was a nice way to end the evening.
Rating: 8 - good but Beaches and Cream much better.
Next to review-
Margaritaville
Spoodles
California Grill
The players:
Me, DH, DD 9, DS 7.
Where we stayed:
4 days at Portofino Bay Concierge(Universal Studios), 9 days at BoardWalk Villas 9 (1 BR unit)
Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!
Friday, July 9
Dinner, Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific Resort
We weren't able to get a ressie for for Emerils, however Tchoup Chop is Emerils asian/polynesian restaurant...
We took a pleasant boat ride from Portofino Bay to CityWalk and then transferred to a boat to Royal Pacific resort. We toured the resort after dinner and it is lovely...Universals answer to the Polynesian resort though more of a modern artsy feel (IMO the Poly feels a little "1960's" even though I love it).
The restaurant, though small, was meticulously detailed and well-themed with lei chandeliers and a zero-edge "pond" in the center with lilly pads.
We were given a chinese take-out container of rice crisps with a peanut dipping sauce. Wow! The sauce was similar to the one they serve at Ohana. It was yummy. I ordered a coconut flavored cocktail (sorry can't remember the name). It was decadent with toasted coconut on top...I had only one as it was very rich.
For my appetizer I had the Emerils Big Island Style Poke Ahi Tuna tossed with Sesame Peanut Dressing, Ogo Seaweed, Toasted Peanuts and served with Won Ton Chips. The tuna is uncooked and sushi quality and took on the flavor of soy and sesame oil. Very nice. I also think there were enoki muchrooms with this even though it is not listed on the menu. I then had the moo shu vegetable with Spicy Eggplant, Snow Peas, Shiitake Mushrooms, Vegetable Fried Rice, Spicy Garlic Glaze, Butter Lettuce Leaves and Sesame Pancakes. This was very good, not a typical Chinese-style moo shu, however it was a little too salty.
DH had the chef's sampler which consisted of three courses. I didn't write down all the details of his meal and since it was a special, it's not listed on the menu. However DH reports it was one of the best meals he ever had. First course was a tuna sushi. Second course was tempura soft shell crab. Third course was Pan Roasted Filet Mignon with Red Bliss Potatoes, Char Sui, Port Wine-Anise Reduction Sauce, Melting Brie Cheese and Sweet Onion Crisps. Yum...after typing this I wish I had tried a bite!!
The kids both had a perfect filet mignon with mashed and green beans. They ate this all up!!
Dessert was equally as heavenly. DH and I had the banana creme pie which was at least 4 inches high with chunks of banana with a caramel sauce and chocolate shavings. DS had a chocolate-heaven type dish...I think it was a brownie with lots of chocolate frosting. DD had some kind of sundae.
Service was excellent. We had many people waiting on us. They appeared to work in teams. Water was always filled, napkins refolded at my place when I returned from the ladies room...etc
Overall rating: 9 1/2 - Would make a special trip here even if we were not staying at Universal.
Another word about Portofino Bay...each night we would return to our room and find soft music playing on the stereo, our fluffy beds turned down, lights dimmed, and chocolates on our pillow. What a nice way to end a long day in the parks...
Saturday, July 10
Again we had breakfast in the lounge (see Part I)...
We spent the day at Islands of Adventure and had a great time. I recommend however doing the water rides last as we were soaked to the skin for half the day!! We worked up and appetite and decided to do a grab and go vs. sit-down after having a big meal the previous evening.
Lunch, Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous
The restaurant is well themed as is all of Seuss Landing, one of the lands at Island of Adventure. There really is not a straight line in the place, including the queque line railings. Seuss Landing was one of our favorite places in all of USO.
DH and I had the chicken caesar salad. DS had the pepperoni pizza and DD cheese pizza. All was good...typical counter service quality. The best was however the chocolate brownie. DS still talks about it and says it was one of the best things he ate all trip!!!
Overall Rating: 7 - great atmosphere and brownies...decent counter service type food.
Swam and napped at the hotel...woke up in time to check out the evening offerings at the club lounge.
Evening Offerings - Portofino Bay Club Lounge
I say "offerings" vs. dinner because although one could probably make a meal out of it, it is more of a antipasta. From what I recall there was assorted cheeses (i.e. smoked gouda, cheddar, goat) and italian deli meats (i.e. prosciutto, capacola, salami). Also olives, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, red grapes, and assorted crackers. Also was assorted alcoholic beverages. It was very very good, but as I said before not nearly as good as AKL.
Late night they had cookies and chocolates out. I think the cookies were slice and bake. The chocolates were good.
I would have been fine for the evening on what I ate at the lounge, however the kids didn't eat much, so we dicided to try the deli/pizza place at the hotel.
Dinner, Sal's Market Deli
We found this place very charming. It is counter service, though they will deliver your pizza to the table for you. They had a variety of sandwiches and salads as well. We ordered a cheese pizza with half roasted garlic. I also had a side of coleslaw which looked so good I couldn't resist. I was happy I ordered it...not too much mayo, cold crunchy cabbage.
The pizza was good for Florida standards (less doughy than most), though I sent it back once as it was IMO undercooked. Sorry to complain but I live in CT and we have fantastic pizza here (NY style and New Haven pizza). I did enjoy it nevertheless.
Overall rating: 7 1/2 - Very good, would come back, especially for a lunch, the salads looked great.
You'd think we would have had enough to eat...but we ended up at the Gelateria (italian ice cream)...
Dessert, Gelateria (also at PBH)
I had Vanilla and strawberry in a waffle cone, DH had mocha and vanilla. The kids had similar in a cup. It was very flavorful, but not very creamy like ice cream, more like ice milk...probably less fat. It was a nice way to end the evening.
Rating: 8 - good but Beaches and Cream much better.
Next to review-
Margaritaville
Spoodles
California Grill
