ABCs of Trip Reporting, Pt. 2-Life Can Be Crappy and Then You Move On (3/7)

[All7OfUs]

Hi Liesa, Just sent you a PM for my guess!! I am so glad you had a great time with family for Easter!! I am with you on needing some better weather. I am hoping for some sun and warm temps soon!!! Don't really want to wait until July 5th for our warm weather to start!!!!!! So tired of this Oregon weather

Hey!! I actually have seed starts of zucchini, pumpkin and flowers that are rotting because I simply can't get them outside yet!!! Usually that stuff goes in a week or more ago!!! UGH!! I can't take it anymore!!

It's so wet I can't even get my garden tilled or even disked!! Meanwhile, it's a whirlwind of sewing our Regency costumes for the next ball!! Amazing how a piece of folded fabric can turn into something so lovely!!

 

[marvali]

Glad you and the family had a great Easter, Liesa. I have submitted my PM with my response.

Hope you kept it clean!!!

 

[KatMark]

Hope you kept it clean!!!

Aren't you the funny one?

 

[All7OfUs]

Time to eat again!! Once in a while, you just have to do that at Disney, no matter how much fun you’re having! Heck! Dining at Disney World can actually BE fun. Walt made sure of that, certainly motivated by more than just your entertainment in mind. Who wouldn’t want to eat in a Bayou with boats floating by, or on top of the world overlooking a Magical Kingdom? You’d pay a lot for that?


Yeah, me too.

Not every meal has to be expensive, unless you want to eat corn dog nuggets or pretzels three times a day- which I didn’t. So, I succumbed, just like the next sucker, to paying extraordinary prices for meals that would cost 1/10 in the real world. But the real world comes with do-it-yourself dishes, a kitchen table that needs to be re-finished, and a floor that needs to be mopped afterwards. That’s why we vacation and submit to places like Yak and Yeti at Disney World.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked towards my lunch place of choice, and was rather excited about having a genuine surprise. I did know that it had 2 levels of seating, and was hoping for a quiet place upstairs to revel in my solitary mode of the day.

As you may have guessed, I have been reporting the happenings of my day somewhat out of order. (A writer must sometimes take a bit of license to tell the story better….) In fact, I had just finished up touring Anandapur just prior to my lunch, actually cutting my time on the trails short to make it to Y&Y on time. And it’s a GOOD thing I did too!! The friendly hostesses were at first confused about my ADR, but quickly figured it out, and escorted me upstairs to the only deuce along the windows!! I was just having some really great seating luck that day- first with a front row on EE, and now the only table they would give a single diner on the top level. Pleased, I was!

Almost immediately, Ellen, my more than gracious server, approached and welcomed me to Yak and Yeti. I placed my extravagant drink order of water, and she left me to explore the offerings on the menu.

It didn’t take me long to confirm that I indeed wanted to get what I had decided on months earlier. So, that gave me extra time to take in the sights around me. Here’s what I saw out my window:

I was curious if this was the type of tree that Buddha was sitting under during his long mediation, put there as authentic theming, but after some research, I think it is not a Bodhi Tree. Nevertheless, I was intrigued at the prayer flags that hung all around under me.

I loved the natural media they used in the interior decorating such as bamboo and wood, and thought they brought the theme of animals in with just the right amount- not overdone or cheesy.

Ellen returned and took my order of one DIM SUM basket, which is normally an appetizer for 2. But the price was right, and an appetizer meant for 2 should easily feed a hungry muncher of 1. While I again waited for my bamboo basket of nibbles, I pondered the meaning of the universe, and wrote up some notes in my Mickey book. Soon, she brought out a set up of auxiliary eating sticks which I was eager to try out. Feeding the export economy of China is always my pleasure. Trust me, when 2016 rolls around, we’ll all be eating with these, and laughing at each other when we order fried rice.

And while they clearly present problems with fried rice, they work really great for this:

Dim Sum Basket for Two - Pork pot stickers, shrimp siu mai, cha su bao, and pork sie mai steamed on a banana leaf, soy lime dipping sauce $13.99

Each one is about a 2 bite portion. Unless you’re a big mouth.


The dipping sauce was fine, but rather salty. Lately, we’ve been eating a lot of Thai chili sauce- on everything from stir fry to steak and thought it’d be pretty tasty on these too. So I took a chance and asked for a little serving, hoping the charge might get overlooked at the end of the stay. (It did.) Now, I think it’s important to mention here that while I was savoring my little tasties, I had gotten rather chummy with the manager who was circling the floor like a vulture over a carcass. He was looking for anyone to fill out the Landry review cards strategically placed under every diner’s nose. With a pencil for convenience, of course. For those of you who don’t know, some of the restaurants in and around Disney are operated by a large conglomerate of restaurant chains called Landry. Typically, they have they “chain-ish flavor” hard to put into words, but they are different than Disney run places. He asked how my meal was, and I began to unashamedly brown nose (and was not being altogether dishonest) when I told him it was a simply fabulous meal. Truly, the food had lapped Brown Derby and rivaled The Rose and Crown with the exotic flavors of ****ake mushrooms, cilantro, shrimp, soy, lime, and Florida sulfur. In fact, I wasn’t so sure what the ingredients were in one of the pockets, but suspected shiitake. (I cracked up when I learned (thank you, Tim!) that they bleeped out my first spelling of that word.) I asked, just to satisfy my curiosity and to make double sure they knew I was a PITA. Sure enough, he was aiming to please me enough to score a review, so trotted his busy little (?) body back to the kitchen and brought back an ingredient list. Now, I had felt like I had gotten superior service, and he got what he was looking for. Umm… that would be the review card, just in case you wondered.

I secretly hoped my chatting him up would score me a dessert, but I had no such luck. So, I ordered the cream cheese wontons with custard sauce to top off my meal. I had no idea when my next real meal would be (oh, wait, yes I did!) so I tanked up well. I did not take a picture, but they are easy to find, if you’re so inclined. I’ll just say that I received the worse dessert of my trip. The pineapple that alternated between the wontons was so sour I could not eat it. I tried twice but between the gagging and puckering, it just wasn’t going to happen. I set my mind on the wontons, but found them to be so rich, that they literally got stuck in my mouth, and no amount of water would remedy my disappointing $8 mistake. So, what had started off as “most fabulous meal yet” ended, as I was left with a $28.31 anticlimactic disappointment. Had I to do it over, I’d have gone with a light sorbet, and would have likely left as a more than satisfied customer.

Bottom line: Dim Sum was super! Service really couldn’t be beat. Atmosphere was really wonderful; not noisy at all, wonderfully themed and pretty; awesome table; but hit and miss food.

And now this guy and I wish you A Magical Day!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I'll start with the unfortunate so we can end on a positive, sorry about the disappointing dessert. what a shame...

but other than that is sounds like a truly wonderfully blissful and relaxing meal. Your view was GREAT, takes you to a different place. And the decor looked really cool too. can't wait to see whats next

 

[Poolrat]

Thank You Thank You. I do believe Yak and Yeti is on the list. I have heard other reviews and most if not all think it is fabulous.

I will stay away from the wontons for desserts and perhaps try to the sorbet.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I DID IT!!!!!



Now for the quotes...

Here is your photo clue for Letter “B”.

Good luck, and happy hunting!!

Hey, I recognize that...and those boys too! It was fun to read the responses to this one!

You can do it; YES you can!!! ... Brook, the builder... Brook, the Builder....

Scoop, Muck and Dizzy. Rolly too. Lofty and Wendy join the crew!

I know I had more quotes; however, apparently the DIS decided not to save them for me. That has happened more than once to me when I take more than one day to catch up on a thread.

Loving the report-and the report about the Epicest Meet Ever!

We too loved our meal at Yak & Yeti, yummmmmm! I think we skipped dessert though this time - the cream cheese wontons seem to be hit and miss for people, you either love them or agree with your review. I have tried their sorbet trio and it was yummy!

Gotta get in on this game!

 

[norybell]

Glad you had such a nice meal at Y&Y (well, nice except for the dessert, that is). I'm sad to report that when my mom and I ate there and ordered that very same dim sum basket, it was pretty terrible...you could really tell that it had been sitting out for way too long! But the first time I ate there I loved it, so I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The thing I really love there is their wonton soup. So yummy! And even cheap!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Liesa. I am so sorry that the dessert at Yak & Yeti left a bad taste. We can't wait to get back t the restaurant. We've not been since 2008 when it first opened and are really looking forward to it again (we had a great meal our first visit and are looking for the same).

And that is an awesome picture of you at your table.

 

[burly]

I actually love the Y&Y. but we pick and choose. Do try to reserve so that we can sit in the upstairs and watch the parade while eating slowly in an air conditioned restaurant. Has worked for us twice now. Lucky.

Great update, and i pm'd you. (i think).

KIM

 

[marvali]

Nice update Liesa! Hate to comment too much since I have a Y&Y review coming up soon myself! Our's was a dinner instead of lunch though, so different experience since I scheduled the ADR for right before the park closed.

 

[jenbear123]

Yak & Yeti is definitely hit & miss when it comes to the food. What you ordered looks really delicious -- much better than the meal I tried there. Now I know what Dim Sum is (yes I know I am uneducated when it comes to exotic cuisine...if you can call this exotic). Sorry to hear your dessert was a fat disappointment.

Don't worry Liesa. We all know that is was the review card that the manager was looking for

 

[All7OfUs]

I'll start with the unfortunate so we can end on a positive, sorry about the disappointing dessert. what a shame...

but other than that is sounds like a truly wonderfully blissful and relaxing meal. Your view was GREAT, takes you to a different place. And the decor looked really cool too. can't wait to see whats next

Well, I tried to respond to both you and Pat last night, but either the DIS or my own internet pooped out. I'll try again with my morning coffee...

Yes, always good to get the bad news over with, and end on a high note. Dessert was not my cup of tea, so to speak; live and learn. Generally, I"m not a deep fat fried ANYTHING girl, so I'm not even sure why I thought I'd like it? I think I let a few reviews on the boards sway me;

Lesson learned: Go with what you tend to like in your normal daily eating.

IT was a truly blissful meal! I really enjoyed just slowing down (there goes that theme again!) and sitting in the A/C.

Thank You Thank You. I do believe Yak and Yeti is on the list. I have heard other reviews and most if not all think it is fabulous.

I will stay away from the wontons for desserts and perhaps try to the sorbet.

My pleasure, Pat!! Glad it may have been helpful. I do think you'll like it, but be careful what you order- esp. dessert. Sorbet seems to complement the theming of the food a bit better, and well... hey, it's pretty tough to mess of sorbet.

I DID IT!!!!!

Hey, I recognize that...and those boys too! It was fun to read the responses to this one!

Congrats on a task well done!!

I thought you might have gone back to read those... it was VERY fun to see who recognized your men.

I know I had more quotes; however, apparently the DIS decided not to save them for me. That has happened more than once to me when I take more than one day to catch up on a thread.

Loving the report-and the report about the Epicest Meet Ever!

It is the bane of those behind. I know all too well trying to get square on a thread and things going missing.

We too loved our meal at Yak & Yeti, yummmmmm! I think we skipped dessert though this time - the cream cheese wontons seem to be hit and miss for people, you either love them or agree with your review. I have tried their sorbet trio and it was yummy!

Gotta get in on this game!

I should have known better on this dessert. I'm not a heavy "desserter" and this smacks of high calories/rich textures. I don't care for heavy cheesecake either, only the lighter version made with 1/3 cottage cheese. Ah well, live and learn.

Yes, the game is a good one! Good participation and easy enough to do very well by just playing!

 

[All7OfUs]

Glad you had such a nice meal at Y&Y (well, nice except for the dessert, that is). I'm sad to report that when my mom and I ate there and ordered that very same dim sum basket, it was pretty terrible...you could really tell that it had been sitting out for way too long! But the first time I ate there I loved it, so I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The thing I really love there is their wonton soup. So yummy! And even cheap!

Awww, nuts, more hit and miss! Perhaps the day you got the stale Dim Sum was an off day? I dunno, The steamed buns in there should be lighter than air, and if yours weren't then yes, they'd probably steamed too long or sat out. Yuck! I"m all for trying a place more than once, but I'm not there often enough. I always want to try new places, and by the time I get around to going back, they've closed. (ie. The old Italian place in EPCOT)

Now that I think about it... I'd have gotten that very same wonton soup to go with my Dim Sum, and then gotten a strawberry bar for $2.50 in the park for dessert. I love those, and they're even cheaper than the sorbet.

Great update, Liesa. I am so sorry that the dessert at Yak & Yeti left a bad taste. We can't wait to get back t the restaurant. We've not been since 2008 when it first opened and are really looking forward to it again (we had a great meal our first visit and are looking for the same).

And that is an awesome picture of you at your table.

Kathy, you should ask for that table upstairs! It's much quieter up there, than downstairs. And of course, the view can't be beat!

Thanks, Ellen did well as serving and photographing!

I actually love the Y&Y. but we pick and choose. Do try to reserve so that we can sit in the upstairs and watch the parade while eating slowly in an air conditioned restaurant. Has worked for us twice now. Lucky.

Great update, and i pm'd you. (i think).

KIM

THat's the key, Kim, to pick and choose! Great idea to watch the parade from up there!! THat's a perfect place to do it!

I did get your PM! Perfect answer, by the way!! I hope this game is proving to be easy enough to simply have fun with!! I have a bit of a surprise coming up after the next round.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

i could eat pot stickers for breakfast.


enjoyed the update.

 

[All7OfUs]

Nice update Liesa! Hate to comment too much since I have a Y&Y review coming up soon myself! Our's was a dinner instead of lunch though, so different experience since I scheduled the ADR for right before the park closed.

THanks, Marv!! I put some comments in the writing I was certain you'd be all over.

I do know the feeling of not wanting to comment though a lot on certain updates if you have one yourself coming up soon. THat's happened to me a ton- esp. in Glenn and Magdalene's recent reports. It's tough to walk a fine line of keeping the surprises for your own, but engaging in the others'. All that to say, I do understand

I'll bet your dinner was very nice- Someday, I'd love a nighttime experience at AK! I have yet to ride EE in the dark!

Yak & Yeti is definitely hit & miss when it comes to the food. What you ordered looks really delicious -- much better than the meal I tried there. Now I know what Dim Sum is (yes I know I am uneducated when it comes to exotic cuisine...if you can call this exotic). Sorry to hear your dessert was a fat disappointment.

Don't worry Liesa. We all know that is was the review card that the manager was looking for

See.... when I was researching it, 2 summers ago, it was getting great reviews. I"m just glad my meal was really good. I only had one "iffy" meal coming up much later.

OK, here's the scoop on Dim Sum. From what I understand, although I"ve never been myself, is that you go into a CHinese restaurant, sit down, and the server brings around carts or trays of these little appetizer-sized dishes. You take what you want off the cart or tray and pay for the things you eat- a la carte style. A good "dim sum" will have dozens of choices, and the best "dim sums" are in China towns like DC, LA, and San Francisco.

He was lucky he got that. But I figured after he hunted down this exotic taste/ ingredient, it was the least I could do...

 

[All7OfUs]

i could eat pot stickers for breakfast.


enjoyed the update.

Me too, Dan!! I generally don't like cereal or any other typical "breakfast" foods at all, but would rather heat up some lasagne, or other leftover around 10:30. Pot stickers! YUM!! Love that idea!!

 

[glennbo123]

Nuts, this seems to be typical of Yak & Yeti reviews....something really good, and something really

I'd like to see Chef Ramsay from "Kitchen Nightmares" make the chef taste that dessert and ask him if he likes the pineapple.

 

[All7OfUs]

Nuts, this seems to be typical of Yak & Yeti reviews....something really good, and something really

I'd like to see Chef Ramsay from "Kitchen Nightmares" make the chef taste that dessert and ask him if he likes the pineapple.

Funny! As I was researching eons ago, all were good. I'll be going back, as I don't mind giving things a second try, but then again, there are SOOOOOOO many other places I want to try as well....

Maybe I should have sent it back. Always a tough call on that one. I"m not the kind that complains too much. I think in the end, it wasn't BAD per se, just not my style.

 

[that's nice]

Well, Your meal looks FAB!!! We have only eaten at Y&Y CS and not the TS. I would order that app in an instant! Sorry your dessert was bad. That probably left a bad taste in your mouth.

Did you notice your shiitake has the ****.... GRRRRRRRRR