14 Days of Gluttony AKA Doing Free Dining Again! COMPLETE!

[MrsB1228]

After returning to the resort with our purchases, we relaxed a bit, watched some TV and then got ready to leave for AK.

We arrived at 4:00, and watched the end of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. We then made our way through the crowds to check in for our 4:45 reservation. We waited a few minutes and then were escorted upstairs to our table, right by the window overlooking the walkway. We were seated right at our ADR time. Our waiter checked in quickly, and took our beverage order, Coke for DH and ice water for me. After looking over the menu, we both decided to order the Baby Back Ribs.

Baby Back Ribs: Slow roasted ribs, hoisin BBQ sauce, chicken fried rice and sweet chili slaw.

These were good. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the hoisin BBQ sauce added some depth with its addition of sweet, slightly salty flavour. The chicken fried rice was OK, not particularly memorable and the sweet chili slaw was very nice. I didn't really detect much chili, there certainly wasn't any heat. It wasn't overly sweet either, and was actually rather bland. I seem to remember there being more complexity to the slaw the last time we had this. DH loved it however, and wished he had a larger portion. I give this 3/5 because the ribs were wonderful but the side dishes were weak, IMO. Hubby gives it 4/5 as he really enjoyed everything but agreed the chicken fried rice was nothing special.

For dessert, I didn't even need to look at the menu.

Fried Wontons: Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, served with strawberries, vanilla ice cream and drizzled with honey vanilla sauce.

These are delectable and are one of my absolute favourite desserts in all of WDW. The components, when eaten separately, are delicious; but when you take a piece of wonton along with the pineapple, a little portion of strawberry and that incredible sweet, smooth honey vanilla sauce ... it's a party in your mouth my friends! Definitely a 5/5!

Here's a close up of one of these little nuggets from heaven.

Hubby had the same thing and gives it 3/5 since he doesn't like cream cheese. I know, I know ...

Since I'd only had ice water with my meal, I decided to order one of their specialty teas to have with dessert. I selected the Spiced Chai.

I love the teapots they use! This is a great choice if you're a chai tea fan like me.

Overall, Yak & Yeti gets a rating of 3-3/4 out of 5 this visit. It didn't wow me as much this time but it's still a solid favourite with DH. We're visiting again later this trip ... will I be more impressed next time? Stay tuned to find out.

Dinner used 2 table service credits and would have cost $78.75 OOP.

Up next: Day 4 includes breakfast at Kona Cafe, a snack at Ghiradelli, drinks at the Tambu Lounge and dinner at Boatwrights.

 

[MrsB1228]

I love Contempo Cafe for its savory options (salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, etc), but the most recent cupcake I had there wasn't great. That spiced apple cupcake makes me desperately want to return there! It looks phenomenal.

I remember reading about your disappointing cupcake. As I recall, it certainly looked delicious but didn't live up to its promise. I definitely want to return to Contempo to try more of their savoury options as I love the look of some of the flatbreads and I've heard really good things about both the Honey Lime Chicken and Spice Crusted Mahi sandwiches. Soo many choices, lol!

Great reviews and pics. You made me hungry. And I had no idea about those waffle sandwiches. I am so having one of those.

Thank you! You must try one of those waffle sandwiches, they're incredible and are on my "must do again" list for next trip!

 

[BlovesC]

Your meal at Contempo Cafe looks so delicious! I keep seeing that spiced apple cupcake and I'm so jealous! I may have to try making my own version!

Great reviews!!

 

[MrsB1228]

Your meal at Contempo Cafe looks so delicious! I keep seeing that spiced apple cupcake and I'm so jealous! I may have to try making my own version!

Great reviews!!

It was wonderful! We really enjoyed every aspect of our meal here and will definitely return! If you make your own version of the spiced apple cupcake, please be sure to post your results, MMMM!

Thanks for reading!

 

[MrsB1228]

Today was a no-park day for us. After our morning showers, we headed to the MK where we hopped on the resort monorail. Our destination was the Poly, where we had a 9:30 ADR at Kona Cafe.

When we tried to check in, they couldn't find our ADR! I usually carry a print out of all our ADR numbers but didn't have it with me this time, naturally. LOL! I was a bit concerned as Kona was slammed this morning and I heard them turning away walk-ups before we got to the podium. The lovely lady checking us in believed that I had ADR's however, and managed to seat us within 15 minutes. It worked out in the end but lesson learned! I made sure I had the print out with me from that point on. It's a good thing too, as I would need proof again at another meal.

We had the worst server of the whole two weeks at this meal. She was slow and somewhat surly, definitely lacking in the "Disney magic" area. She acted like it was the last place she wanted to be and she was doing us the biggest favour in the world by taking our order. We've had some lacklustre service at Disney restaurants over the years, but I think she deserves the crown for worst ever, I never saw her smile once. It wasn't just us either, she was the same with all her tables, and I heard her snarl at a co-worker too. When she came to take our order (after a rather long wait) she didn't say "are you ready to order?" or "have you decided?", she said, and I quote: "whadya want??" Oh well, we didn't let a surly server spoil our morning because we were together at Disney and what could be better?

We weren't terribly hungry so we decided to split the Big Kahuna.

Big Kahuna: French toast, Pancakes topped with Pineapple sauce and Macadamia Nut Butter, eggs, home fried potatoes, ham, bacon, and sausage. This was my half after we split everything.

We both really enjoyed this. The eggs were perfect (we ordered them well done), the pancakes were fluffy and wonderful with the macadamia nut butter and pineapple topping. The french toast was fine, I don't really remember much about it and all the breakfast meats were tasty, especially the ham and sausage. The potatoes are nicely spiced and very flavourful. We give it 4/5.

We also ordered a fruit cup to share.

The fruit was wonderful! Cold, sweet, perfectly ripe and fresh. 5/5

I enjoyed two cups of Kona coffee with my breakfast and a very nice server came over to bus the table after we were finished and asked if I'd like a to-go cup for the rest of the coffee in the thermos. I told him I'd already finished the coffee in the thermos. He laughed and asked if I'd like another thermos of fresh coffee and a to-go cup? I said yes please and thanked him for his consideration. He definitely made up for our own servers bad attitude and we made sure to tip him directly when he returned. Our surly servers tip wasn't quite as generous.

All in all, we really enjoyed our breakfast at Kona. Everything was tasty and it remains a favourite of ours.

This meal was $23.92 before tips and we paid OOP.

Up next: A delicious mid-afternoon break at Ghiradelli!

 

[dawnmichele]

I hope you'll come along with me!

Count me in, I'm coming along!
I have the same problem with being so anxious to dig in when the food arrives I forget to that a photo first - even when I leave the camera right on the table to try to remind myself. The food look just as good with a couple bites out of it, right?

 

[MrsB1228]

Count me in, I'm coming along!
I have the same problem with being so anxious to dig in when the food arrives I forget to that a photo first - even when I leave the camera right on the table to try to remind myself. The food look just as good with a couple bites out of it, right?

LOL! I'm glad I'm not the only one that does it! I often take a bite when the camera is sitting right there beside me.

Welcome aboard, great to have you here!

 

[jecskc]

We had kinda the same experience at Kona. The hostess snapped at my DH and that really made him mad. Our server was pleasant and accommodating. I really loved my pancakes, but DH had scrambled eggs that were runny and gross. So, it might be a while before we go back.

 

[MrsB1228]

After our wonderful breakfast at Kona, we decided to go to Downtown Disney for a little retail therapy. We were feeling hungry around 2 in the afternoon but not hungry enough to have a full lunch. Hmm ... what to do, what to do?

I know!! How about an ice cream "lunch" at Ghiradelli?! Hubby congratulated me for coming up with such a great plan and we happily set out to that mecca of hot fudge and ice cream-y delight.

Wow, was this place BUSY! I don't think I've ever passed it when it hasn't been busy, but it was positively jammed that day, wow! Anyway, we studied the menu board and came to a decision about what to order. I got in line and DH went to stalk a table inside if possible. After I ordered, paid and received the little sign to place on our table, I found hubby happily in possession of a nice little table for two in the middle of the seating area. He always seems to have very good luck scoring a table for us, even when it seems like a virtual impossibility. Is it any wonder I love him?

Here's what we ordered:

The Strike It Rich: Butterscotch Hot Fudge Sundae - butter pecan ice cream with butterscotch and golden almond nuggets under a layer of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped almonds and a cherry.

This was AMAZING! Rich, velvety ice cream with warm fudge and butterscotch toppings. Lots of almonds, delicious fresh whipped cream ... YUM!! We shared this and it was the perfect portion size for each of us. We left feeling satisfied but not stuffed.

This was 5/5 and is highly recommended!

Cost: $9.53 OOP and worth every penny!

 

[MrsB1228]

We had kinda the same experience at Kona. The hostess snapped at my DH and that really made him mad. Our server was pleasant and accommodating. I really loved my pancakes, but DH had scrambled eggs that were runny and gross. So, it might be a while before we go back.

I can totally relate as we've had runny, gross scrambled eggs at Kona before too. That's why we made it a point to order them well done this time because nothing will turn DH's stomach faster that eggs that are still clucking, LOL.

Thanks for joining in!

 

[angelsmith52]

Mmm!! That sundae looks fantastic! Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi there fellow fried won ton dessert lover! I'm so glad that we tried Y&Y last trip because that was the best dessert of the trip. I will be like you next time and not even need a dessert menu.

I think we may have had your server on our last trip to Kona Cafe! She was not very friendly and when my order was incorrect she blamed the kitchen and muttered "idiots".... not very Disney-friendly. At least your breakfast looked good.

Brilliant idea about ice-cream for lunch! I would totally do that!

 

[MrsB1228]

Sorry for the long delay in updates everyone, real life caught up to me big time.

Carrying on with our gastronomic adventures, we found ourselves back at the Poly mid afternoon and decided we needed a break and an adult beverage. What better place to accomplish this than at the Tambu Lounge?

DH ordered:

Pina Colava: Bacardi Razz Rum, blended with Pina Colada mix and raspberry puree. (He'd already sampled it before I could get a photo )

DH loved this, it was sweet, creamy and cold, perfect for a hot, humid Florida day. 5/5

I decided to try:

Island Sunset: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, melon and peach combined with guava-passion fruit juice.

YUM!! This was absolutely delicious. I've had the Pina Colava before and while I really enjoy them, I wanted something a little less creamy and this fit the bill perfectly. It was very refreshing. 5/5

Up next: Dinner at Boatwright's

 

[MrsB1228]

Mmm!! That sundae looks fantastic! Can't wait to read the rest!

It was amazing, I wish I had one right now, lol! Thanks for reading!

Hi there fellow fried won ton dessert lover! I'm so glad that we tried Y&Y last trip because that was the best dessert of the trip. I will be like you next time and not even need a dessert menu.

I think we may have had your server on our last trip to Kona Cafe! She was not very friendly and when my order was incorrect she blamed the kitchen and muttered "idiots".... not very Disney-friendly. At least your breakfast looked good.

Brilliant idea about ice-cream for lunch! I would totally do that!

Hi Brenda! Those cream cheese wontons are seriously addictive and easily my favourite dessert in any park, at least so far. I feel the need to do more research though.

Yes, that sounds exactly like her! She was the worst of the trip and easily the worst we've ever experienced in a Disney restaurant. She was scowling at everyone and acting like being there was the last place in the world she wanted to be. Sorry you had to experience her "service" too. Breakfast was delicious though and Kona is definitely still on our list.

Thanks for reading!

 

[MrsB1228]

Dinner that night was at what I consider to be a "hidden gem" at WDW; Boatwright's at POR. We've been here many times and it never fails to please.

Our ADR was for 7pm and we checked in about 10 minutes prior to that. We were given a beeper and had to wait about 20 minutes, 10 minutes past our reservation time. It was the busiest I've ever seen it at that restaurant so it looks like a lot more people have 'discovered' this place too, lol.

After we were seated, we ordered our drinks, a Coke for DH and a light pomegranate lemonade for me. The bread service arrived with our drinks and we dug in.

Close up of the cornbread:

That cornbread is like crack, seriously! Holy moly it's soooo good! We polished off the basket, even though we kept saying we really should slow down and save room for the main course. It's moist, not too sweet and served warm. Spread with a bit of butter and OMG, I hear angels singing. Our server offered to bring us another basket, but we grabbed on to what little self control we have and said no thanks.

After reviewing the selection, we made our choices:

DH chose the Grilled Tenderloin Medallions. This was supposed to be served with mac and cheese and a crayfish beignet but he doesn't like mac and cheese (I know, right??) so he asked if he could have it with the sides served with the prime rib. It was no problem, and he got his tenderloin served with roasted yukon gold potatoes and asparagus accompanied by a red wine demi-glace. It was served a perfectly pink medium, and was fork-tender. He really enjoyed the roast potatoes, they were mildly spiced and perfectly cooked so they were tender but had a nice slightly crispy exterior. The asparagus was just asparagus, but was cooked well. He gives it 4/5.

I had the Grilled Pork Chop: Amber Ale BBQ sauce, cheesy grits and onion rings. I had this last year and enjoyed it so much, I had to have it again this year. I'm happy to report it was just as good as I remembered! The chop was quite large and had very little fat. It was very tender and the BBQ sauce gave it a smoky sweetness that was heavenly. The cheesy grits were good but a little bland. I felt they would have been better with a bit more cheese, but that's probably just me as I'm a cheese fiend. The onion ring was meh, it wasn't really very crisp and I didn't bother with it. I give this dish 4/5.

Time for dessert!

DH went traditional and chose the Pecan Pie. He loved it and inhaled the whole thing. 5/5

I chose the Bananas Foster Angel Food Cake, served with vanilla bean ice cream. This was amazing!! The cake was nice and light and the sauce was delicious, you could definitely taste the rum, butter and cinnamon components. Although I didn't come close to finishing it, I really, really enjoyed it. 5/5

This was another wonderful meal at Boatwright's, we'll definitely be back!

2 TS dining credits used; OOP cost would have been $71.82 before tip.

Up next: Day 5 includes lunch at Via Napoli, snacks from Karamell Kuche and dinner at Riverside Mill. I hope you'll join us!

 

[Ro Z]

I need to have my DDIL help me post pics because my bananas foster didn't look anything like yours. I was at BW 11/4. And I didn't like it . But that is probably just personal taste. I posted my pic on facebook and complained about too much cinnamon and was told bananas foster doesn't have cinnamon in it. At least I wasn't crazy. I knew I tasted it!! Our dinner was good too. But I will try a differant dessert next time. Probably the pecan pie!

 

[MrsB1228]

I need to have my DDIL help me post pics because my bananas foster didn't look anything like yours. I was at BW 11/4. And I didn't like it . But that is probably just personal taste. I posted my pic on facebook and complained about too much cinnamon and was told bananas foster doesn't have cinnamon in it. At least I wasn't crazy. I knew I tasted it!! Our dinner was good too. But I will try a differant dessert next time. Probably the pecan pie!

No, you're not crazy at all, there was definitely cinnamon in there! I didn't find it overpowering and all the elements worked well together but perhaps you had a bad batch? Or more likely, a different chef. The pecan pie was apparently wonderful, judging from the "mmmm's" coming from DH's side of the table. I didn't try it, but he loved it.

Thanks for reading along!

 

[MrsB1228]

Day 5 of our vacation found as back at Epcot, our favourite park. We had a 12:45 reservation at Via Napoli and we were both really looking forward to it. DH had never been to this restaurant before but I had the opportunity to try it for the first time last year when I was at the World with my sister. Frank had been listening to me raving about Via Napoli after we returned home so it had a lot to live up to. Did it manage to meet our expectations? Read on ...

Taken from our table. We were at a 2-top in the corner next to a window overlooking the courtyard.

There was a bottle of Chianti on the table and hubby and I jokingly each laid claim to it.

"This is my Chianti"

"No, this is my Chianti"

"OK, you can have the Chianti, I'll keep Alessio"

Seriously, Alessio was a complete sweetheart. He was very nervous as it was his first day working at VN and he was worried about messing up. He was working with another server who was showing him the ropes. He did a very good job and we assured him he had the makings of a fantastic CM. In all honesty, every server we encountered here was fantastic, always happy, helpful, and working very hard. It's a busy place.

Here's what we ordered:

Piccante individual pizza: Italian spicy sausage, tomato sauce, mozzarella.

This was very good but neither DH or I found the sausage to be very spicy. It was flavourful, but combined with the cheese did make for a rather greasy pie. Still yummy though! 3-1/2 out of 5.

Quattro Formaggi individual pizza: Mozzarella, parmesan, fontina and provolone.

This was delicious and the clear winner between the two pizzas! We finished this one but ended up leaving a couple of pieces of the Piccante. Our only complaint here is that the pizzas cool off very quickly. The metal pan they're served on doesn't hold the heat at all and once the pies start to cool, the cheese starts to harden and set and it's not as enjoyable. It wouldn't stop us from going again though! This pizza gets 4-1/2 out of 5.

We were pretty full by this time but had saved a tiny bit of space for dessert. We both ordered:

Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni, "Ugly But Good": Amarena cherry and vanilla gelato sundae.

We both loved this and managed to eat the whole thing. The gelato is rich and creamy with incredible vanilla flavour and the amarena cherry sauce is both tart and sweet. The "ugly but good" almond cookies add an extra dimension with their sweet crunch. This dessert is a winner! We both give it 5/5.

So all in all, Via Napoli lived up to our expectations. It was just as good as I remember it from last year and DH was very satisfied with his meal. We both enjoy the atmosphere too, it's very pretty inside. Via Napoli stays on our must-do list!

2 TS credits used; without the DP, OOP cost would have been $68.16 before tip.

Up next: Snacks from Karamell Kuche!

 

[MrsB1228]

Before we left Epcot later that day, we stopped by Karamell Kuche to pick up a few snacks. Everything here is 1 snack credit each.

A snack size bag of their amazing caramel popcorn, LOVE this stuff!

These were really good! We had a lot of credits to use up so we went back at the end of the trip and picked up more of them to take home to friends and family.

This may not look like much but it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten in my life. It's called the Werther's Chewy Caramel bar and it's basically a shortbread bottom with a thick caramel layer on top with more pieces of shortbread dropped on top of that. I expected this to be chewy, but the caramel was surprisingly soft and the shortbread was perfect. I highly recommend this!

Another shot, taken without flash this time.

This is something that many people rave about here on the DIS; the chocolate covered caramel with sea salt. I got it with milk chocolate, but it's also available in dark chocolate, which I fully intend to try next year. This little beauty is deserving of all the hype, the combination of sweet, salty and creamy flavours is something you just gotta try!

I tried to show the size of this thing by taking a picture of it next to my iPhone. I have my phone in an Otter Box to protect it from my butter fingers so it's a little larger than the phone is on its own.

It took me about a week to finish that caramel. It's wonderful but very rich and you can only eat it a bit at a time.

Karamell Kuche gets a solid 5/5 from us!

 

[nutz2notz]

Loving your reviews and looking forward to more.