21 nights in WDW+DXDDP =over 300 food pics!! (& a huge weight gain!)COMPLETED 11/30!

[iluvpluto27]

For breakfast today we split a Cherry Turnover we'd picked up yesterday afternoon as we were leaving Magic Kingdom. This was very good with sweet, crisp pastry, a crunchy sugar topping and a sweet cherry filling, but plenty of whole cherries adding a slight tartness.

We played mini golf this morning at Fantasia Gardens, then walked over to Epcot for our 1pm reservation at Rose and Crown. We had eaten here once before, and being from England anyway it's not normally somewhere we must eat at. However this was what I loved about the deluxe plan, I could try these places for lunch, that I may be wouldn't have wanted to spend a TS credit on, on the normal DDP.

We arrived a bit early but we were seated straightaway (they were also taking walkups for immediate seating). We asked to sit inside, as I don't like eating outside and it was pretty quiet with only a few tables occupied.

Our waiter greeted us and offered drinks. I chose the Welsh dragon which was Peach Snhapps, Midori, Pineapple and Orange juice. I really liked this cocktail as it was neither too strong or too sweet, just right!
DH had a Black and Tan which can also be seen in the pic below.

I also snapped a quick pic of the drink menu in case anyone was interested.

As we'd only shared a pastry for breakfast we both decided to order an appetiser. I went with the cup of pea soup, which was garnished with bacon bits and cream. This was ok, but needed a bit more seasoning, the best mouthfuls were those where you got a bit of bacon too, as that was quite salty.

DH, shockingly chose the cheese plate. This was a stilton pastry which was flaky pastry topped with melted stilton (very good), cheddar which DH said was ok and a blue cheese which was very good with the red onion marmalade.
As well as the pot of onion marmelade, the cheese was also accompianed by grapes and crostini. He said this was an ok cheese plate, but none of the cheeses were particularly exotic.

As an entree I went with the fish and chips. As unheathly as they are, we do occaisionally go to the chippy back home, so I was interested to see how Epcot's version compared. This was a big portion, with two pieces of fish and a fair few chips. The fish was actually really good with the batter being very hot and crispy. The chips were ok, where they were different from chip shops in the uk is they were very dry. Chips from our local chippy tend to be a little greasy, and although greasy food normally isn't a good thing, I like my chips with a little grease as it makes them slightly soggy.
This was served with tomato and tartar sauce, which were good to dip the chips and fish in.

The vegetarian option was a vegetable curry. DH said this wasn't at all spicy, but it had loads of vegtables in a nice creamy sauce. It was served with bread which seemed to be a cross between a Naan bread and Pita and he thought the grain was quinoa. Overall he enjoyed this dish, again it was quite a big portion but I think he managed to eat the lot.

I was pretty full by this point from the fish and chips, but DH wanted dessert so I ordered the Baileys trifle. This was very nice and you could taste both Baileys and coffee in it. The Baileys/coffee flavoured custard was layered with chocolate sponge, then topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes. I think I ate about half, and if I hadn't been so full I would have ate it all.

Now DH's favourite dessert in the world is Sticky toffee pudding and he get's it at every restaurant it's served at back home. Therefore of course that's what he ordered here. He said that this was actually a good attempt at a Sticky toffee pudding, which was sweet with a good dense sponge. His only criticism is that it wasn't served with enough custard but he managed to finish every last bite!

We both enjoyed our lunch here. The decor is actually really good, and it was a quiet, tasty lunch. Our waiter wasn't the best (it was more akin to service we receive in the UK, rather than the US so I guess it was authentic!!) but he was friendly and got the job done. We'd definitely go back here for lunch on a return trip.

Up next, our dinner at California Grill.

 

[iluvpluto27]

Aside from V&A California Grill is probably my favourite WDW restaurant. I could only get a late reservation (9:20pm) but took it anyway as I couldn't spend 3 weeks in WDW and not eat here.

The plan was to watch Wishes beforehand from the entrance to MK then walk to the Contemporary to check in. This was the only time we had bad bus service at AKL, we got to bus stop at 8 and it wasn't until 8:45 that a MK bus showed up. By the time we pulled into MK, Wishes had already started so we just walked along to the Contemporary watching what we could while walking.

We actually arrived bang on our reservation time and were taken to the 15th floor. The place was still a mad house, very loud and loads of parties waiting to be seated. We eventually got a seat in the bar, but it wasn't until 9:55 that we were actually seated. Between 10 and 10:30 the restaurant started to clear out and it became a much quieter, more pleasant atmosphere.

Our server was very friendly and greeted us straight away. The only criticism I have is she took ages to bring our bottle of wine and we were already partway through our apps before it arrived. We ordered a Grenache which was really, really good. I'd never heard of the winery before but I'll be looking them up to see if I can get another bottle.

I chose the Sauteed Lobster and Shrimp cakes for an appetiser. Normally I have sushi for an appetiser here, but I felt it was too late at night to eat a really big appetiser. The cakes were very good, with big pieces of both lobster and shrimp with no filler at all. They had a bit of a kick to them, and tasted very thai, with a lemongrass flavour.

DH had his second cheese plate of the day and this one was the winner out of the two. This had a good selection of cheeses, with the Spanish Goats cheese being the winner. The only one he wasn't keen on was the Fleur de Maquis, which was encrusted with fennel seeds, supposedly to enhance the flavours. We both thought the fennel totally overpowered the cheese, and that was all we could really taste.
It was served with crostini and the accompaniments were really good with honey, raisins and nuts all working well with the cheese.

As I didn't have sushi as an appetiser, I decided to order Yoshi's Deluxe Sushi Platter as an entree. This was absolutely fantastic, but it was really big and I hated that I couldn't finish it all. All of the fish was of good quality and incredibly fresh. I can't remember exactly what it included but the california crab roll was good, the tempura shrimp roll was excellent. There was tuna and salmon maki and nigri, all were good but the tuna maki contained to much wasabi for my taste. There was a few other pieces as well, I tried every bit (even if I didn't know exactly what it was) and enjoyed them all. This was definitely some of the best sushi I've ever had.

DH had the Whole Wheat Pasta, stuffed with wild mushrooms, spinach and black truffles. He said the mushroom and black truffle filling was lovely, and you not only had some very strong mushroom flavours, there was also plenty of truffle included which tasted fantastic. The only thing he wasn't keen on was the Wholewheat pasta, which he said was too thick and had a rough texture. He felt the sauce would have gone better with white pasta.

For dessert I was disappointed to see the Banana's Butterscotch Buzz had been removed from the menu. I absolutely loved it last year, so decided to go for The Original which I thought may have similar flavours. This is a butterscotch creme brulee with a duo of banana cakes, and caramelized bananas.

The creme brulee was very good, but I thought it had a stronger banana flavour than butterscotch. The caramalised bananas were on top of the creme brulee and were good and sweet. The cakes were good, with a light soft texture, and a chocolatey banana flavour. I liked this dessert, but it wasn't as good as last years.

DH chose the Cashew Nut Dacquoise Cake with Roasted Stone Fruits, Blackberries, Lychee Cream, and Ginger Caramel Ice Cream. He enjoyed this and said both the cake and lychee cream were very flavouful and good. I don't think he was as keen on the roasted peaches, but I tried one and it was really nice.

In summary we had another really good meal here, both food and service were good and although it was a late meal, I did prefer the atmosphere in the restaurant after the majority of people had cleared out and it quietened down.

 

[mommyintn]

More great reviews, I really appreciate the detail you put in these along with the great pictures!

We've never eaten at Rose & Crown but we did have lunch at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop there in the UK pavillion and both the fish and chips were yummy greasy goodness.

California Grill looks great and that sushi plate...WOW! Thanks for sharing.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Great update. I'll be trying the Cali Grill soon and I'm very excited about it.

 

[Condorman]

Geez, they don't even put the fish in the basket with the fake newspaper print anymore? Why don't they just dump the meal right into your lap? This isn't just a cutback, it's just plain sad. I hope it isn't a permanent thing -- maybe just that one day?

 

[iluvpluto27]

More great reviews, I really appreciate the detail you put in these along with the great pictures!

We've never eaten at Rose & Crown but we did have lunch at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop there in the UK pavillion and both the fish and chips were yummy greasy goodness.

California Grill looks great and that sushi plate...WOW! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much. Ah, may be I would have preferred the chips from the CS window then
The sushi definitely had the wow factor, it really was outstanding.

Great update. I'll be trying the Cali Grill soon and I'm very excited about it.

Thank you. I'm sure you'll love Cali Grill, it really is a fab restaurant.

 

[wdw1972]

Geez, they don't even put the fish in the basket with the fake newspaper print anymore? Why don't they just dump the meal right into your lap? This isn't just a cutback, it's just plain sad. I hope it isn't a permanent thing -- maybe just that one day?

Are you kidding??? It's food - served in a restaurant - on a plate. Where do you get off suggesting next they'll dump it in your lap?

If the presentation is a little different than it used to be, oh well - that's better than having the food not be the same, isn't it?

 

[mickeymotto]

For dessert I was disappointed to see the Banana's Butterscotch Buzz had been removed from the menu. I absolutely loved it last year, so decided to go for The Original which I thought may have similar flavours. This is a butterscotch creme brulee with a duo of banana cakes, and caramelized bananas.

I can't believe they took this off the menu!!!!


I am so disappointed! Whay do they keep changing things that soooo many people like??? Why don't they change up the stuff most don't care about.

Maybe Disney should post food/restaurant polls on here to find out what people actually do like.

For example - Ohana potatoes, original school bread, 50's Primetime's fried cheese, LTT characters, etc, ....and now, sadly the Banana Butterscotch Buzz.

 

[iluvpluto27]

Geez, they don't even put the fish in the basket with the fake newspaper print anymore? Why don't they just dump the meal right into your lap? This isn't just a cutback, it's just plain sad. I hope it isn't a permanent thing -- maybe just that one day?

I didn't really notice to be honest. The server didn't mention anything about it being a temporary change, but then I didn't ask.

I can't believe they took this off the menu!!!!


I am so disappointed! Whay do they keep changing things that soooo many people like??? Why don't they change up the stuff most don't care about.

Maybe Disney should post food/restaurant polls on here to find out what people actually do like.

For example - Ohana potatoes, original school bread, 50's Primetime's fried cheese, LTT characters, etc, ....and now, sadly the Banana Butterscotch Buzz.

I must admit normally I'm not bothered when menus change, I mean they do in every restaurant. But that really was a great dessert and I was disappointed not to be able to have it again.

 

[KayleeUK]

Brilliant - keep them coming

 

[Condorman]

Are you kidding??? It's food - served in a restaurant - on a plate. Where do you get off suggesting next they'll dump it in your lap?

If the presentation is a little different than it used to be, oh well - that's better than having the food not be the same, isn't it?

Everything matters, my dear. Everything.

The moment you start forgiving the removal of all the little details that makes a Disney TS different from a real world TS, you might as well be eating fish and chips at a Long John Silvers. I'd like to think Disney is better than that.

 

[donaldtutter]

Awesome dining reviews!!!

 

[askelton]

For my main I went with the special, Lobster Ravioli.

I love lobster ravioli.

As an entree I went with the fish and chips.

My staple here along with the cheese plate.

I know I had the sushi too, but don't remember it like that. Maybe I had the app portion.

Geez, they don't even put the fish in the basket with the fake newspaper print anymore? Why don't they just dump the meal right into your lap? This isn't just a cutback, it's just plain sad. I hope it isn't a permanent thing -- maybe just that one day?

I thought when we were for dinner there about a month ago, it was in the basket. But of course I could be wrong. We haven't been to some of these places in awhile. Looks like it's time to go again!

 

[jeminni]

Your sushi plate looked amazing.

 

[Katy Belle]

Wow! I just found your fabulous report! What great photos and descriptions you've given. Guess what...now I'm craving CHEESE I'm also sitting here planning a vacation to Switzerland...so its not 100% your DH's fault for the craving.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report!

Katy

 

[SunnieRN]

Oh my goodness, they keep on getting better! That's it, I have to go get something to eat now!

 

[blinkered]

Your pics have me drooling all over the keyboard

 

[iluvpluto27]

Brilliant - keep them coming

Thank you so much. I'll get the next update done tonight.

Awesome dining reviews!!!

Thank you.

I know I had the sushi too, but don't remember it like that. Maybe I had the app portion.

Did you have the Yoshi's platter? I think it changes frequently which is why they don't list exactly what's in it.

Your sushi plate looked amazing.

It definitely was. It would have been worth going to Cali Grill just for that.

Wow! I just found your fabulous report! What great photos and descriptions you've given. Guess what...now I'm craving CHEESE I'm also sitting here planning a vacation to Switzerland...so its not 100% your DH's fault for the craving.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report!

Katy

Thank you. Believe me, there's plenty more cheese to come!

Oh my goodness, they keep on getting better! That's it, I have to go get something to eat now!

Thank you. I must admit, the one thing I didn't like about reading other's dining reviews was how hungry looking at the pictures made me!

Your pics have me drooling all over the keyboard

Thank you very much. Glad you're enjoying them.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Great reviews - and thanks for doing the Rose and Crown from a Brits perspective We have an ADR for our Dec trip. I don't eat fish so I was hoping there would be something for me to enjoy, I was going to have the Ploughmans but I may now have the curry I'll see how hungry I am

Keep 'em coming

 

[iluvpluto27]

For breakfast we shared a Pithivier we'd picked up at the Boulangerie Patisserie the previous day.
This was really good, the pastry was flaky but quite thick, and the filling was a very sweet almond paste. We both enjoyed this.

We spent the morning at DHS then walked across to Epcot for our 12:30 lunch reservation at San Angel Inn. I was a bit apprehensive about this one, as it gets really mixed reviews but DH fancied giving it a try, and we had so many meals planned anyway, I figured if one was a bust it didn't really matter.

We checked in and were seated immediately, but the restaurant was really busy with almost every table occupied. First impression was great theming, but wow they really do pack the tables in here.

Our waitress was pleasant and joked with us over my limited knowledge of spanish. She brought us a basket of chips and dip, then offered drinks.

I chose a frozen mango margarita. This was really good, not overly sweet and a nice hint of tequila.

By the way sorry the photo's aren't the best here, I didn't want to use flash as it was really dark and we were so close to our neighbours, I may have blinded them.

We both skipped the apps and went straight for the main course.
I had the Enchilada with marinated shrimp. This was actually better than I was expecting, the shrimp were tasty and the green-tomatoey sauce was ok, but good when you got a bit of sour cream with it. Luckily for me it wasn't too spicy either, but had a fair bit of flavour.

DH got the Combination Plate from the Vegetarian menu. This consisted of a burrito filled with black beans, a cheese quesadilla and rice. He enjoyed the burrito, and said the beans were really tasty. However he said the quesadilla and rice were ok but pretty bland.

As I hadn't had an appetiser, I decided to order dessert. I went with the White Chocolate mousse and I really didn't like this at all. It had a really strange texture for a mousse, it was very thick and almost grainy. On top of that I couldn't taste the white chocolate at all. I ate the fruit and a couple of bites of mousse.

DH chose the White Chocolate and Raisin Bread Pudding. In contrast to my dessert this was really good, it was a very heavy, sweet bread pudding, with plenty of raisins and a sweet caramel type sauce.

Overall this meal (with the exception of the mousse!!) was much better than I was expecting. It certainly wasn't an outstanding meal, but it was a decent lunch in pretty surroundings, we'd probably return but definitely not a must do.

When we got back to AKL I went to Mara to get a dessert as my one at San Angel was terrible. I got a chocolate chip muffin, which was very nice with plenty of chocolate chips and a nice crispy top. Much better than that Mousse.

Coming up next, our dinner at one of my favourite WDW restaurants, Citricos.