A Christmas Dining Extravaganza

[tyandskyesmom]

Restaurant Marrakesh

We walked through The U.K. and France to get to Morocco...where lunch was.

We has an ADR at Restaurant Marrakesh at 1pm. We were seated at 1:11 in the main room on the wall that you walk in at. These are the worst seats we have ever had here. This place is beautiful and there is so much to see. But our seats stunk and it was not full so I don't know why it took so long past our ADR time to be seated at a less than desirable table. I mean we had been seated early at more crowded venues before and gotten better seating. Oh well, it wasn't a horrible table, obviously none of them are, but there are better and there were better available. We hoped it would get better. Especially since Cary was leery of eating here in the first place. It's just not a cuisine he's used to. The kids and I have been here before though. Our server was Kaissi Mehdi and well, he left something to be desired. We had decided that we were ordering two meals to share...after all we did just have a huge breakfast, had been eating like crazy for a week and a half, Cary was a bit leery, and there really is only a couple of things we have had that we know we like. Not that we've had anything we didn't like, it's just that we knew we would like only a few things because in the past the kids were "kids" and were not eating from the adult menu. And it seemed as soon as Kaissi Mehdi learned we only were ordering two meals and he couldn't sell us on more or alcohol, we didn't really matter anymore. No, I mean, we've had slow service before but never have we had service that looked like you weren't even there. Like drop food on the table while looking at another of the wait staff, holding a conversation and not even looking at us! At one point we even caught a different server to get drink refills!

So we ordered 2 sprites and 2 cokes (2 of which we paid out of pocket for). They were brought, along with a half a small loaf of bread and a frozen butter for each of us. I don't have, nor can I find, a picture of the bread but it is good yeasty bread and usually is served warm. For appetizers we ordered an order of Seafood Bastilla - baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with Shermoula sauce, grouper, shrimp, mushrooms.

This is my favorite appetizer here. It is similar to an egg roll but very different at the same time. I really enjoy them. But this time it just seemed a little off, maybe not as fresh as usual???

And a bowl of Harira Soup - traditional hearty soup flavored with tomatoes, eggs, lentils and beef

(it does not come with an additional bastille...just the soup) and Cary really liked this. Like I said earlier, he was a little on the scared side of dining here. But food wise so far, he was pleased!

For our entrees, we ordered two orders of Shish Kebab - grilled tenderloin of beef with mixed vegetables and yellow rice.

We love these but they were a bit on the cold side...like they had been sitting waiting for Kaissi Medhi or his helper server (they do that here) to pick it up and deliver it to our table. This was just enough to make our bellies happy.

For dessert we had an order of Moroccan Symphony - Assorted Moroccan baklavas

and an order of Marrakesh Delight - fresh fruit salad topped with mint ice cream, toasted almonds and orange blossom water

Both were good but how much could you screw up either? Baklava always tastes a little stale to me so that works and the fruit was fresh and the mint ice cream and orange blossom water. The pic does not have the mint ice cream but ours did...the shish kabab pic is the only one that's mine.

The band and the belly dancer both performed while we were there. Neither of the kids will get up to learn to belly dance (not even the DANCER!) but they like watching.

I think Cary was pleasantly surprised that he liked everything he ate. We were left a little disappointed though in the service and the food this time around. Service much more than food. With our eating dynamic now and the poor services we had this time, I don't know that we will be running back to Restaurant Marrakesh any time soon but maybe in the future we will again.

TOTAL = 87.23 ... TOTAL FOOD = $5270.26
USED 2 CREDITS ... USED 125 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

YACHTSMAN STEAKHOUSE

So we had arrived for our dinner ADR at Yachtsman Steakhouse at around 7:30pm and we were seated right away. Our ADR was for 8pm. The place was pretty crowded and we were seated in the center of the round room.

Our server was Oscar and he was fantastic! He was helpful, good with a picky 11 year old girl, informative, and efficient! We ordered 2 cokes and 2 sprites and Oscar brought them and the wonderful bread shortly.

For our appetizers we had three Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail - old bay-poached, lemon, house-made cocktail sauce

Loved the presentation and the shrimp was so fresh!

And what is listed on the receipt as "beef appetizer" but doesn't fit the descriptions on Allearsnet.

It was really good...they were beef dumplings and a variety of condiments to go with them. We really enjoyed them!

Skye and I ordered the 10-oz Black Angus Filet Mignon - mashed potatoes and Cabernet wine sauce

YUMM-O!!!! This was perfect for me and for a picky 11 year old girl. She had the sauce on the side for hers. They were a perfect medium rare and the potatoes were fresh and creamy.

The boys ordered the 32-oz Porterhouse for Two - trio of Steakhouse sides, beef fat potatoes and garlic butter

They loved it. They agreed upon a medium cooking and it was perfect. They finished off the porterhouse but didn't touch the sides. I used the onions with my steak a little and ate a bit of the creamed spinach but mushrooms are not a thing for us so they just sat there. The onions and spinach were great though! Tyler didn't even mind the garlic butter on the steak. I don't have a pic of potatoes and I don't remember them with this dish but if they were there Cary loved them (he's a potato guy and mine were great as was everything else so it's a safe bet!).

For dessert, Skyler had a Seasonal Sorbet Trio - Coconut Tuile and Fairy Tale Celebration Cuvee

She loved it...

Tyler had the "adult ice cream" as it is listed on the receipt but I do not see it on the menu anymore.

He loved it...

I had the Chocolate-Peanut Cake - Pretzels, Salted Caramel Gelato, and Liquid Ganache

Which is listed as "chocolate cake" on the receipt...it was very good! The chocolate was very chocolate but the rest of it lightened it up.

And Cary had

Which is listed as the "seasonal dessert". I believe it was an apple pie kinda thing...whatever it was he really enjoyed it. It was apples and caramel and ice cream...what's not to like!


Tyler was also brought a birthday surprise...

So we ended up with five desserts...not that we needed them but it's always great to be recognized and a little extra chocolate cake is never a bad thing!

We have been here once before and obviously it was good because we came back but this time was just awesome. It might be our best overall meal of the trip! From being seated early, to the awesome waiter, to awesome food...it's a winner. It's nice because it's upscale but it's still on the louder side but not obnoxiously so.

I have a feeling we will be back here in the future!

We were there for about two hours and fifteen minutes which is really long for us but we were happy and relaxed. It certainly is not because of slow service or bad service...completely our choice. And even though we were on the dining plan and not ordering alcohol, we did not feel rushed out of there.

TOTAL = $379.95... TOTAL FOOD = $5650.21
USED 8 CREDITS ... USED 133 MEAL CREDITS

 

[dnllmz]

That meal looks amazing!!!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

It's only 10 am and I'm drooling for that porterhouse! (Do you think one hungry person can order it on their own? )

 

[tyandskyesmom]

(Do you think one hungry person can order it on their own? )

Sure, as long as you want to pay for it! LOL...it was certainly NOT a cheap meal and out of pocket we would definitely do things a little differently but it sure was a great one!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Sure, as long as you want to pay for it! LOL...it was certainly NOT a cheap meal and out of pocket we would definitely do things a little differently but it sure was a great one!

Yours is the second DR I've read lately featuring this amazing steak. It costs more than a full meal so I doubt I'll splurge but it looks SO GOOD!!!!!!

 

[Lisa F]

It's only 10 am and I'm drooling for that porterhouse! (Do you think one hungry person can order it on their own? )

I travel solo with my kiddo. I'll meet up wtih you and share it, lol. He can get a kid's meal

 

[tyandskyesmom]

1900 Park Fare

We checked in for our 9am ADR at just about 9am...we were seated at 9:08am. Not bad. Seating is one of my biggest complaint with 1900 Park Fare they are almost always running behind...a lot...but this time apparently everyone was heading to Magic Kingdom and not to breakfast so we were seated pretty quickly.

We did out photopass pictures...

We were seated in the center area close enough to the food lines but not too close where we were being passed by everyone on their way to the buffet. Our server was Edsel and he was relatively good. Not overly friendly but nice enough and relatively efficient. He told us we had a bit before the characters started to come to our section so we all went up for some food.

I don't seem to have separate food pictures but there is food is some of the other pictures.

We saw Mary Poppins...

There's Skye's pyramid of Mickey Waffles, cheddar cheese chunks, ham, bacon and looks like tater tots. And in the back you can kinda see Tyler's scrambled eggs, bacon and a muffin.

Tigger...

Pooh...

The Mad Hatter...

And Alice...

The Mad Hatter and Alice commented on Skye and Me disbounding as The Cheshire Cat and got a kick out of it. He's one of my favorites!

Tyler was brought a Birthday cupcake but they didn't do the placemat and crown thing like they used to...no big deal made. This used to be the best place for an impromptu birthday celebration. One time we were there over Thanksgiving and it was just me and the kids. It was the day of my actual birthday and Ty was celebrating his December birthday too. When the Mad Hatter came around and Skyler was the only one without a placemat or a crown he asked her what she was celebrating. She said nothing. And he said "Yes you are...it's your UNBIRTHDAY!" and he made the waitress bring her a crown and placemat too...and after that they brought three birthday cupcakes!

I know there's no a lot of food pictures but it is pretty much your standard Disney breakfast buffet. I love the strawberry soup (like drinkable yogurt actually) and they do a great poached egg dish. But the kids and I love 1900 Park Fare breakfast characters. Mary, Hatter, and Alice are great! The Mad Hatter is very fun! The food is fresh and plenty to choose from. Service here seems iffy as sometimes we have had great service, sometimes horrid and everywhere in between! This time was pretty good. Drinks were filled relatively quickly and plates were cleared relatively fast. The kids and I have been here multiple times. I usually try for the earliest ADR to avoid waiting but today we didn't seem to have a problem. We have also been here for dinner and while we are not generally fans of lunch/dinner buffets, this one falls below Hollywood & Vine for me for dinner so we never have to choose between the two. I know a lot of people say you go for the experience but for us, we also need good food...we don't just go for the experience. So this is a place we only do for breakfast, we have done it a lot, but it is not necessarily a must do. I think we end up here so often because we hate repeating the same place twice and on the deluxe dining plan breakfast is the only place open (I can fill out lunch and dinner ADRs and have some left over every time!!!) so this is our filler. But we do love the characters here and the food is good.

I imagine we will be back!

TOTAL = $119.24... TOTAL FOOD = $5769.45
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 137 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Whispering Canyon Cafe

We had a 2:15pm ADR for Whispering Canyon Café and we were a little early. But since it was an early morning and it was HOT we were willing to take a seat in the beautiful lobby and wait. The kids played Uno next to the Christmas tree...

They got a couple of rounds in and we got a quick nap before our buzzer went off around 2pm. We were seated pretty much in the side of the middle of the room (I think at the same table as the last time we were there!) and Meredith was our server.

Skye and I ordered the Sheriff's Shakes - Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry or Caramel, All-You-Care-To-Enjoy (Vanilla for her and Strawberry for me) as our drinks. Cary and Tyler ordered Cokes. Tyler was on a mission. Last time we were there he downed as much Coke as he could hoping for the giant jar and a fast pass to the bathroom...well, it never came and he was disappointed so she was determined to get it this time!

Meredith was quick with the refills and even told us we could change out the flavors of our shakes! She told us about her family ... I believe she was from Illinois or maybe somewhere very close and now lived in Florida because of this wonderful job she has. Some day, some day!

We had the Gold Rush Western Chips - with chili-queso dip, and fresh salsa (serves 2) for one of our appetizers...

and the Pork Spring Rolls (which are no longer on the Allears menu)...

They were both very good and plenty for us all to share. I love the spring rolls so I hope they really aren't gone but if they are I guess I'll have to find something else to love. The kids will eat chips anywhere, however, they had to shape the veggies off and would not dip...ugh! But the queso is really good.

Oh, Skye had decided on a kid's meal here so she did not get an appetizer.

And before our entrees were delivered, this was...

...but no fast pass to the bathroom...he was thrilled! And needed that fast pass! LOL

Cary and I ordered the same thing here, and it's odd for me to order like this...the Angus Cheesebirger with fries...also not on the menu that I see.

It was huge and lots of fries. We both enjoyed it very much. They do ask how you want it and of course Cary was no pink and I was some pink. They were both cooked to our liking.

Tyler was upset that his beloved gigantic chicken sandwich was not on the menu anymore so he ordered the Seasonal All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillet - Featuring Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Glazed Chicken, and Western-style Sausage, served with Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Cowboy-style Baked Beans, and Corn on the Cob and asked for fries instead of mash.

We all kinda picked off of this...Meredith encouraged it...mainly the beans (that he would not have eaten and the sausage). He got more chicken and ribs. He enjoyed his entrée also.

Skye got the kid's Macaroni and Cheese with green beans and carrots. She loved almost ALL mac & cheese and Disney does mac & cheese the best...and green beans, but we already covered that. She snagged some fries from the rest of us (we had enough!) to dip in her cheese. This was the creamy kind of mac & cheese rather than the soupy kind you get other places...she likes both kinds...and prefers the soupy kind for fry dipping but this was actually her favorite kinds for straight up eating!

She also needed something else for her fries...

And not too long after they had to gather it all up and take it someplace else! Last time we were here it was a late lunch and we had NOTHING fun happen. The kids were thrilled this time! As you can see, Meredith showed them how to make giant straws so of course they all did...LOL

For desserts we ordered Apple-Caramel Pie - fresh Granny Smith Apples, Sugar Cookie Crust, Streusel Topping, and Caramel Drizzle, Seasonal Cheesecake, and a chocolate cake.

...all to go. Skye has two chocolate chip cookies for dessert that got eaten right away by her and Tyler...and I don't seem to have a picture of them. I was very disappointed in the pre-packaged cakes this time around. This place used to be one of the places you had a great variety of desserts to choose from and they were fresh and huge...not so much anymore. Not that we needed huge and not that the pre-packaged desserts are bad, but that's what you get at a counter service not a sit down restaurant. These got eaten, at least parts of them did, before we left our bubble and the apple pie was really good. The others, as expected, were just ok.

Skye and I had about three refills each...mmmm, refillable milk shakes...yum! Tyler finished, I believe, 2 big jars of coke.

All in all, we loved our lunch again. Some of the menu changes were not to our personal liking but even though we had to change some of what we would order, everything we had (minus the pre-packaged desserts) was great. We had fun antics that were no too over the top, which is good for me. Our waitress was friendly, quick, and encouraging. A lot of places where there are all you care to eat things (platter and milkshakes) do not allow sharing but she encouraged it. We were there about an hour and fifteen minutes total...we're slowing down...LOL. The place was pretty full when we arrived and pretty empty by the time we left.

The only problem here is that it is so out of the way, it's not a quick hop over for a meal. We have only had lunch here and I think the menu is slightly different at dinner but I think for us, there are so many other places we want to eat at for dinners that this one always gets lunch for us.

For some reason we decided to use a meal credit for Skyler here again even though she got a kid's meal. I probably should have asked for an adult portion of Mac & Cheese for her but then we would have just taken more with us, although, I am sure that would have gotten eaten. I probably figured we had extra we were not using with the cancelled meals so it didn't really matter right?

I believe we will be back but this is not necessarily a must do. Probably only because of how out of the way it is though, not because it isn't a good meal!

TOTAL = $146.35... TOTAL FOOD = $5915.80
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 141 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Jiko

Our ADR at Jiko was for 7:40pm and the boys (I was not feeling well and Skye volunteered to stay with me) got there just about on time. They checked in and were seated right away. I have no idea where they were seated but their server was Omar. They ordered their cokes and Omar brought out the breads.

This is one of my favorite restaurants and I was sad to not be there but the boiys really loved it! They both ordered the Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin - with Mealie Pap, Chakalaka, Truffle Oil and Micro Cilantro.

And of course no pictures!

Tyler has had this before and we all loved it then. They both loved it this time. I am sure Ty only ate the meat but Cary tried some of the rest and said it was all good.

The also both ordered the Oak-Grilled Fliet Mignon-truffled pap, braai mealie, asparagus, hone-balsamic cipollini onions, maple-smoked peppadews, South African red wine sauce

I wasn't there to advise them to ask for mac & cheese instead of the veggies. I am again sure Tyler did not touch anything but the meat but Cary tried some of the veggies. He said they were ok...but they both raved about their steak! They each ordered them as they live them and they were perfect. Tyler even ate it witht he sauce!

For dessert they separated. One of them got the Malva Pudding - amarula creme, wild amarena cherries, toasted meringue and brandied cherry ice cream...I am guessing Cary...and the other got the no sugar added dessert. I have no idea what it was...probably cheesecake because that's usually the no sugar added choice.
Reportedly, they were both good.

I know, this is a bad review...but I wasn't there and neither of them is a good DISer.

Overall, they both loved their meal and Cary was glad I made him go. In fact he wanted to do it again on our summer trip but it did not happen.

They said their service was great and their cokes were always full. They were brought what is listed on the receipt as "friandise" which I had no idea what it was. I looked it up and apparently it is a French work for "candy"...I assume for their birthdays that just passed but I Have no idea what they were...and of course no pictures! Anyway, they came home raving about this meal.

I am quite sure we will be here again. It is an expensive meal but I think it's great on the dining plan. If we ever go out of pocket I think we might eat differently though. I cannot seem to get away from the filet but there are other cheaper dishes I always want to try and never do figuring I should enjoy the splurge while I can.

They were paying their bill at 9:33pm so it was kind of a long meal for just the two of them but they were happy with everything about it!

TOTAL = $181.46... TOTAL FOOD = $6097.26
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 145 MEAL CREDITS

 

[Lisa F]

I love this report that never ends!!!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I love this report that never ends!!!!!!

Unfortunately, it is getting close to ending!!! BOO!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Old Port Royale

Cary had to run out to Walgreens and I was feeling better and hungry so was Skye and Tyler can always eat! So we headed to the food court at about 11pm.

Both Skye and Tyler ordered the Penne Pasta with a bread stick (which is not longer on the menu). Ty got it with a chocolate chip cookie and on orange Fanta.

Skye got it with a sugar cookie with mickey head sprinkles and an apple juice.

This is basic Disney pasta...but they never met a noodle they didn't like so it was inhaled.

I got the Individual Pepperoni Pizza with an M&M sugar cookie and a blue powerade.

It was typical Disney pizza, which I like. I was very disappointed though because that was the only window open. It was 11pm and they are supposedly open until 12am but they closed everything except the pizza and pasta shoppe. I really wanted something different but I didn't have much choice. Very disappointing!

We found a table and took our time eating in the near empty venue. They were closing parts of it down. We did not want to eat outside because it was still really warm out and we like enjoying the food court. It was nice and quite at this time.

TOTAL = $48.00(ish)... TOTAL FOOD = $6145.26
USED 3 CREDITS ... USED 148 MEAL CREDITS

 

[Lisa F]

Unfortunately, it is getting close to ending!!! BOO!!!

I noticed that when I went to the first page only a few left. you have put so much work into it!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Seasons

After Soarin' we grabbed a breakfast snack at Seasons.

A Blueberry muffin for Skyler, a cinnamon roll for Tyler (big surprise right?), a cherry Danish for Cary and a Cranberry loaf for me. A large chocolate milk and three pops...they only have one size here because you can get refills. Everything was really fresh and good. We all enjoyed it!

TOTAL = $27.71... TOTAL FOOD = $6172.97
USED 3 CREDITS ... USED 148 MEAL CREDITS (used 8 snack credits here and we still have 55 left!)

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I noticed that when I went to the first page only a few left. you have put so much work into it!

Luckily I have another waiting to be told! LOL

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Teppan Edo

We checked in at Teppan Edo for our 12pm ADR at about 11:55am and as soon as we were given our buzzer and out butts hit the seat we were buzzed...what's the sense? Like they couldn't have been able to tell we would be called to be seated right away???

Anyway, we were seated at one end of the 8 seater table and another family of 4 was at the other end. Megumi S (who looked a lot like Tyler's girlfried except that Natalie is Chinese not Japanese) was our server. I don't remember our chef's name.

We ordered two cokes, a sprite and Cary ordered a Beer flight (that is not on the menu I see).

And of course, I don't know what they were! He enjoyed two of them a lot and the other was just ok. I tasted them but I am not a beer person so what do I know of good beer???

We were given a garden salad first...it was your basic salad.

For appetizers we ordered two orders of Assorted Tempura - shrimp, chicken and vegetables served with Japanese tempura dipping sauce...

...and two orders of Wafu Ribs - sake, soy sauce and ginger braised pork ribs.

The tempura is really good and not greasy at all. It is cooked in the back not of the grill obviously. It has a shrimp, a chicken, a zucchini, and some other veggie I cannot remember. Skye scanned a chicken and a shrimp, I got a shrimp and the zucchini, Cary snagged a chicken. Cary and Tyler also had the ribs. These are really good... I don't know what it is about them but they are tender and flavored well...they cleaned the bones and suggested that maybe next time we should all get the ribs!

While the chef is getting everything going we were brought the sukiyaki beef rice. It was very good but the kids were not happy...they like white rice not beef rice...I don't think either one ate it.

The first things done are the vegetables with udon noodles...they were very good however my kids (even Skye) don't like their veggies that way nor are the veggies served their veggies of choice. But that just means more for me. Skye pulled out some noodles but not a ton. Tyler just moved them over to the side of his plate waiting for the main reason for being there for him!

One of us, I think me, ordered the Asakusa - steak and shrimp.

Skye ordered the Tori - 8 oz boneless chicken breast

And the boys ordered the Filet Mignon - 6 oz. beef tenderloin steak

Everything was really good! Tyler even let Skye scam on some of his steak...but I think he scammed on some of her chicken too.

For dessert we ordered two Chocolate Ginger Cake - a layered cake with ginger flavored filling and a rich chocolate icing and two Green Tea Cheesecake - a creamy blend of cheese, eggs, & milk with Matcha Green Tea, topped with raspberry sauce

They were both really good. This is the one place Teppan Edo is lacking...desserts...there's not much to choose from. But these two are good...and different that what we would normally get.

We don't do hibachi at home...either they're not good or too expensive... so this is a real treat for us. This whole building is beautiful inside and out. The service is immaculate...always smiles and always fast to refill and clear away. Even the bathrooms are pretty!

Everything was so good and we were stuffed. We were checking out at 12:41pm so we were there a little under an hour but did not feel rushed at all. When they are finished cooking and serving they clean up and leave you to eat. Megumi was back here and there to make sure everyone's drinks were filled and anything not needed was taken away.

We have eaten lunch here a couple of times. At first I thought I wouldn't like sitting with other people I didn't know but because of the way it is set up, you really don't feel like you are sitting with people you don't know. We love Teppan Edo. Out of pocket, I'm not so sure if we'd go there though only because it is not cheap although the way my kids eat, we could probably share two meals because I could eat all the things they don't!

TOTAL = $216.89... TOTAL FOOD = $6389.86
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 152 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

La Hacienda de San Angel (part 1)

We has 6pm ADRs for La Hacienda de San Angel for dinner. We checked in about 27 minutes early and we waited about 10 minutes to be seated. I believe the first Illuminations show was at 6pm but it could have been 7pm.

We were one of the last seatings before their expensive New Year's Eve Party.

And this was the view from our table ALONG THE WINDOWS!!!

So you know it's gonna be a good one. This was my only dining shafu. I did not want to eat here on New Year's Eve. I actually wanted LeCellier tonight but when our 180 days were there, LeCellier had nothing open. So I booked it for a day I could get it hoping I could change it when they opened and opted for La Hacienda just in case.. Well turns out LeCellier was also having a party and nothing opened so we stayed here. The plan was to see the first showing of Illuminations in case we did not make it until the last. We had no idea what to expect crowd wise plus I knew it was at the end of our trip and we might be tired. And I was hoping for the wonderful seats we got...I couldn't have been happier!

And I am really mad that I have no pictures form here because this is one of those places that does not get reviewed very often and even less than that, with good pictures! And they are hard to find on line too!

So Gina C was our server and she was there but not there...which is a good waitress in my book. SHe was there when needed but not in your face when you didn't. We ordered 2 sprites and 2 cokes, I had an Avocado Margarita - tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice, served frozen with hibiscus Himalayan salt rim

and Cary had a La Hacienda Premium Tequila Flight - Casa Dragones Blanco, Clase Azul Reposado and Avion Reserva 44 Extra Anejo (that I don't have a picture of and I cannot find one either!).

The Avacado Margarita was good but odd. I have to say I am not a crazy margarita drinker though so take that for what it's worth. I do love an avocado though. I wasn't sure what to expect because, really, an avocado based drink, that just sounds weird! But it was good and I did not leave any behind. The tequila flight was a lot of tequila. Tequila and I are not the best of friends but we do get a long sometimes so it was fun to try the different kinds next to each other to see the differences...because really how many of us have multiple kinds of tequila in our liquor cabinet, right? Neither one of us are big drinkers so this was a treat.

For appetizers we had Agua Chile de Camaron - shrimp, lime juice, chile serrano, and cilantro. Served over a bed of guacamole; dairy free and gluten free which was basically like a shrimp cocktail, Mexican style. The shrimps were fresh and then citrusy flavor was there but not overpowering. Even the kids liked them. And I cannot find a picture.

We also had the Queso Fundido - melted cheese with chorizo, poblano and serrano peppers, avocado-tomatillo sauce, and flour tortillas

Which was really good but in my home cheese is always a winner. The only problem was the chorizo is mixed in with the cheese in tiny chunks and my freaks don't do that! They managed to eat around it a little but would have preferred it chorizoless...I don't know if they can do that or not but we didn't ask either way. The one thing I would have liked was more tortillas. And maybe they would have provided them if we had asked. Tortillas are on each and every shopping list at our house...EVERYTHING tastes better on a tortilla!

We also had the Pork Empanadas - corn dough empanadas stuffed with pork, and black beans; topped with mole sauce

which looked sort of like this picture...but with mole sauce on the side. These were good and Tyler was about to snag the whole thing. It was a decent sized empanada. The kids have had a thing for empanadas since the Hanna Montana episode where Rico's stand is selling Empanadas and he says it really funny so not every time the see an empanada they morph into Rico!

And we also had what was listed on my receipt as a "guac corn poblan" and I am not sure what it was. I don't see anything like it on the menu on allearsnet now and I am not finding any pics that look familiar. I think it was a corn cake type tortillay thing but don't quote me on that. and since I cannot remember it, I cannot tell you how it tasted or if we liked it or not. We were pleasantly surprised with how much we liked this meal overall so I am guessing that at least one or two of us enjoyed it but I can't say for sure.

For our enterees we decided to order a Parrillada La Hacienda (serves 2) - Mixed grill offering New York strip, half a chicken al pastor, chorizos and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas; gluten free

And a Parrillada - Del Mar(serves 2) - Mixed grill offering shrimp, fish, scallops and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas; gluten free

that come with

Now this meal was a toss up. I was concerned going into it with the kids because Tyler likes tacos but he likes TACOS...like ground beef, lettuce, cheese on a soft flour or hard corn shell. She likes tortilla chips and flour tortillas with cheese. And not much else. Well this is not taco bell or what I make at home. Tyler likes steak and pork and some fish just depending on how it's cooked. Skye does some meat but in small quantities and some fish (as you can see salmon is her thing!). Neither will touch the beans. Skye might try the rice if I catch her on a good day otherwise if it's not white neither is eating it. And in most cases, sauces and extras on top of things they do like will cause them to not like it. Now, don't get me wrong...they don't actually know if they like it or not in reality because in most cases, they have never tried it. And believe me, if I can get them to try something, in most cases they find it's not so bad or they even LIKE it. So it's the getting them to try that is my struggle. But I will say that Skyler loved the chicken and the fish and a scallop and tasted the rice, Tyler scammed most of the steak and some of the fish and a scallop Skye might have allowed him some of her chicken. I got the beans to myself and a lot of the rice. I tasted everything and it was all really good. My favorite was probably the scallops and the steak...but I love Mexican style beans so I'm good that no one else with try them (and Cary only eats a little of them). The veggies were really good too. My least favorite was probably the chorizo but it still wasn't bad, just something we don't really eat at home...some of them may have been left but not many. Again, we could have used more tortillas.

For dessert we ordered the Empanadade manzana - puff pastry filled with sauteed caramel apples, served with dulce de leche ice cream and cajeta (caramel sauce)

Kinda like an apple pie...it was very good and so was the caramel sauce on the ice cream.

A Mousse de Chocolate - chocolate mousse and almond brittle candy

It was very lighet and the whipped cream even made it lighter...Tyler really liked this.

we also had popcorn Ice Cream...

Which was odd. I think we ended up picking the pop corn off and eating it alone...it just didn't wotk with the ice cream for us (although wee like the Dad's sundae at 50s and it had caramel corn on it so???) but the seasoning (I forget what it is but we do own a bottle of it at home for watermelon) really went well with the ice cream. I would have never though!

And our last dessert was Nieves -traditional Mexican sorbets. I also don't have a picture of them. They were basic sorbets.

Our view for Illuminations was awesome and they do dim the lights and pipe in the music. We didn't have any one pushing up by our table trying to get to the window or anything like that (we did have bad things happen on the patio at Rose & Crown one year!).

Even though they were waiting to close down so they could re-open for their party, we were not being rushed out of there at all. The building is beautiful and the views are good even if you're not up against the windows.

We were leaving at 7:20pm so we were in there about an hour and twenty minutes. It was very relaxing actually (maybe that was all the tequila though).

 

[tyandskyesmom]

La Hacienda de San Angel (part 2)

After al, I was glad this is where we ended up tonight. If we had been able to book LeCellier we would not have seen Illuminations at dinner and that was part of the festive atmosphere of the evening.

I think we really enjoyed out meal here tonight. I don't know that La Hacienda will make the cut every time but I am sure this will not be the last time we eat here. The problem is that with our family, it could go either way depending on people's moods. And there are so many other places that I KNOW we will all like that it makes it hard to pick one that is iffy. Tonight it worked out well. I know this will surprise you but I somehow do not have the receipt with the dining plan total on it and did not write it manually on the top of the out of pocket receipt. The margarita and tequila flight were 54.85!!!

TOTAL = $210.00ish... TOTAL FOOD = $6599.86
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 152 MEAL CREDITS

 

[Sydney2977]

Thanks for the review of La Hacienda! It looks like it would be perfect for our family. Our last four trips have been during F&W our F&G so we've eaten at the kiosks while at Epcot. Next time we do a ts at Epcot this one will be on our list!