Abby's Summer Solo Dining Soirée - Completed 8/28!

[cbg1027]

I just finished a DR, so you know what that means....time for yet another one to start!

I'm Abby, and I love Disney. I also really love food - good food!

Here I am with a very large cricket I found at AK:

I had a short trip to WDW set for June 5-8. Who I was going with kept changing for one reason or another. I thought I was going to have a romantic get away with my DBF, but he had a work emergency at the last minute. Since I had rented DVC points, my reservation was non-refundable, so I made it a solo trip and ate at some places DBF wouldn't have wanted to go.

I will be reviewing:

A Snack at The Mara
Via Napoli Dinner
Breakfast at The Mara
50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch
Citricos Dinner
Boma Breakfast
Yak n Yeti Lunch
Jiko Dinner
'Dine with an Animal Specialist - An Untamed Lunch at Sanaa'

I'll be beginning soon - come back and and be ready to drool!

 

[kabuki]

I'm in Abby!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Really enjoyed your last review! I am in for this one!

 

[rachel09985]

Im in! I love your reviews!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I can't wait to read your reviews. I go to Disney all the time solo, and I would love to stay at AKL someday, my favorite restaurants are there!

 

[phabric]

Looking forward to your reviews.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I am so jealous...what I wouldnt do for a solo trip to WDW!

I keep asking DH for one and he reminds me I had 2 whole days solo back in June 09 but it just isnt the same....

 

[cbg1027]

I'm in Abby!!!

Welcome aboard Chelsi!

Really enjoyed your last review! I am in for this one!

Thanks for joining in again!

Im in! I love your reviews!

Welcome back! Thank you!

I can't wait to read your reviews. I go to Disney all the time solo, and I would love to stay at AKL someday, my favorite restaurants are there!

Some of my favorites are at AKL too.

Looking forward to your reviews.

Thanks!

I am so jealous...what I wouldnt do for a solo trip to WDW!

I keep asking DH for one and he reminds me I had 2 whole days solo back in June 09 but it just isnt the same....

That was two years ago! You need a solo trip so you can plan plan plan and not have to listen to Todd whine that he 'doesn't feel like _____ cuisine' that day!

 

[cbg1027]

I drove down from Tallahassee in the morning and arrived at AKL around 2pm. I checked in and luckily, not only was my room ready, but I got upgraded to savannah view!

I had plans to head to Epcot and knew I was going to Via Napoli for dinner, but I still hadn't eaten lunch, so I stopped in The Mara for a quick bite before heading out.

The Mara is AKL's counter service location. It's much smaller than the food courts at the value resorts. I wouldn't even call it a food court. There was a line to have a CM take your order, after which they give you a buzzer for when your food is ready. While you wait, you can take your order form up and pay the cashier.

The menu isn't very large, but they did have some more unique offerings like falafel and roasted chicken. I was wanting something on the lighter side so I had room when the time for pizza came later, so I opted for a Chicken Ceasar Salad and a cup of water:

This was a basic counter service ceasar and it wasn't very good. There was way too much dressing, the lettuce was just drowning in it. The dressing wasn't even very good, it was way too creamy and tasted mostly of cheese and salt - no lemon, no anchovy, no pepper. The chicken was really dry and the croutons were soft and lacked any seasonings.

Overall, a disappointment and not something I would order again. About the only positive thing I can say about the salad was that the lettuce wasn't brown.

However, I was hungry and needed some energy for park touring, so I wolfed it down.

I'd have to give Mara another chance at breakfast one morning!

Grade: D

 

[MickeyNicki]

Dang it, the salad looks good but it must just be the photography

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm in!

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Uncle Remus]

'Dine with an Animal Specialist - An Untamed Lunch at Sanaa'

That sounds interestin', can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Shame about Mara - we are hoping to pop in during our first trip to AKL this year.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

Hi Abby!
I'm in! going to AKL for the first time in the fall and have the Via Napoli dinner ressie!.... Thanks for letting me join in. Your reviews are great!

 

[dizneeat]

Abby, I am here too!

Wow! That salad LOOKS yummy, shame it didn't live up to it's looks. Can't wait for more!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Abby! I'm joining in on this one as well

Yay on taking a solo trip - sounds like fun!

Eek that salad doesn't sound good but it looks good in the pic.

 

[Tinker12]

Joining in!Look forward to your reviews.

I'm sorry that the salad was not good. It looks amazing though.

 

[DisneyGuess]

I'm so in!

 

[butiflfeet]

I am so in for this! A solo trip would be fantastic!