Alaskans Thawing and Eating 12/03-16/2008 on the DDP

[chocolateMinnie]

great reviews, we chose many of the same restaurants on our last trip. I have a DD who only drinks water too and DS will only drink fresh orange juice or cranberry juice. Better than coke and fizzy drink but................

Well done on drinking the lapu lapu, I love my drinks but it was so strong that one sip nearly killed me.

 

[DodgerMessa]

great reviews, we chose many of the same restaurants on our last trip. I have a DD who only drinks water too and DS will only drink fresh orange juice or cranberry juice. Better than coke and fizzy drink but................

Well done on drinking the lapu lapu, I love my drinks but it was so strong that one sip nearly killed me.

I am glad DS doesn't do the fizzy or syrup drinks,,,,, it's just different. The Lapu Lapu was great but it does have kick.

 

[DodgerMessa]

DS started his day with his Goofy Candy Company favorite, the Dark Chocolate covered Marshmallows with sprinkles. I know desert for breakfast . It's vacation time, we would not do that otherwise.

We did lunch at Cosmic Rays. DS did not like any of the DDP eligible Children's offerings so we purchased a hot dog meal for him. DW and I each had the Half Chicken & BBQ Rib Combo - Served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable. I love this lunch. It was way more than I should have eaten, but I did.

Later that night we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern which was nothing more than a glorified Thanksgiving TV dinner, served on plates w/ Disney Characters walking around. The Characters were great and DS really enjoyed them. The server we had was busting her tail and was very pleasant/accommodating. We tipped her greater than 20%. The menu was -
Declaration Salad: tossed mixed greens, served with strawberry vinaigrette dressing. Patriot's Platter: roasted turkey breast, carved beef, and smoked pork loin, with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, herb bread stuffing, and Stouffer's macaroni & cheese. Dessert: Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Next.-- Day 7, Hollywood Studios 2nd time.

 

[debbieandroo]

Subbing...great reviews and pictures...although I am a little disappointed that I didn't have a chocolate covered marshmallow for breakfast myself!

I'm glad to hear the great reviews of Brown Derby and Raglan Road - I was planning to go to both later this month.

Oh, and not to mention Cosmic Ray's - thanks!

 

[Krissalee]

Thanks for sharing your reviews - I am enjoying reading them!

 

[JESW]

Great job! I am enjoying your reviews - keep them coming!

Jill

 

[DodgerMessa]

Subbing...great reviews and pictures...although I am a little disappointed that I didn't have a chocolate covered marshmallow for breakfast myself!

I'm glad to hear the great reviews of Brown Derby and Raglan Road - I was planning to go to both later this month.

Oh, and not to mention Cosmic Ray's - thanks!

Thank You

Thanks for sharing your reviews - I am enjoying reading them!

Thank You

Great job! I am enjoying your reviews - keep them coming!

Jill

Thank You... I will be writing more. I am waiting on a PhotoBucket upload.

 

[DodgerMessa]

My DS is a SERIOUS Star Wars fan... My DW had researched the Jedi Academy, Thoroughly, and she made sure to do everything in our power to have DS be a part of it. The very first thing we did in the morning was to make sure we could get this shot.

That being over we caught some attractions and ate at ABC Commissary. Not that good. I had the Cuban Sandwich. It was lunch meat on a bun. DW had the cheeseburger and it was cold and rubbery. DS didn't see anything he liked on the menu and decided not to eat.

DS later ate a Cheese pizza at the Toy Story Pizza Planet. He said it was good.

We all needed a really good dinner meal so we ate at Spoodles. We really enjoyed it. The servers were attentive and the food was very appealing to the eye.

We started off with appetizers. DW had the Hummus - Freshly Made and Served with Toasted Pita. She didn't think that they would bring as much as they did. It was a big portion.

I had the Crispy Fried Calamari - with Olive-Pepperoncini Relish. I enjoyed this appetizer. It is not the typical Calamari appetizer. The rings had a different breading than the tentacles and relish was a perfect compliment.

On top of that, Spoodles brings Focaccia Bread w/ olive oil, garlic, herb and balsamic dip breadbasket. This was fabulous.

Entrees included for DW, Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Linguine - with Preserved Lemons, Italian Parsley, Shaved Garlic and Butter. She liked it.

DS had the Cheese Pizza. Surprised?

I had the Oak-fired Steak Kabobs - with Multigrain Pilaf, Balsamic Red Onions and Harissa. I liked the Harissa on the Kabobs. I was a nice flavor meld with the oak fired flavor.

On to Desert. DS had the build your own Sundae. Surprised? WDW needs to do something with the DDP child eligible deserts.

DW had the Lemon Pound Cake - with Limoncello Glaze and Zabaglione Gelato.SHe really enjoyed it.

I had the Chocolate Financier Cake - Rich Dark Chocolate Cake with crunchy Hazelnuts served with Mocha Gelato and Port Cassis Glaze. YUM! I liked that it was not a super-sweet, syrupy chocolate desert. The flavors of the accompaniments to the cake could be tasted along with the cake and it was a great desert experience.

Next Day 8 and LeCellier.

 

[PrincessMom1]

I'm in! Great pics. Thanks for sharing. I'm interested to hear about LeCellier. It's on my list for our April trip.

 

[SunnieRN]

More fantastic pictures and reviews! Thank you! Love your sons smile as he is holding his first choc. covered mickey bar! Looking forward to more.

 

[TigerKat]

Just found this! Glad to see another good review of Spoodles.

 

[DodgerMessa]

I'm in! Great pics. Thanks for sharing. I'm interested to hear about LeCellier. It's on my list for our April trip.

Le Cellier is coming up next. Thanks for viewing.

More fantastic pictures and reviews! Thank you! Love your sons smile as he is holding his first choc. covered mickey bar! Looking forward to more.

DW takes all the pictures. I just ask. DS wore/ate many of those Mickey bars all with a great big smile.

Just found this! Glad to see another good review of Spoodles.

Spoodles was good...

 

[DodgerMessa]

This started as a very wet day... We Alaskans, believing that we were impervious to all weather that Florida could throw at us, started the day with a light shell and shorts. We quickly found out that when it rains at WDW it flat gets with it! It was about 55 degrees out with winds blowing at about 10mph and rain coming down with the tenderness of a firehouse turned on full blast. We had to opt for the incredibly fashionable Disney Rain Poncho as we got incredibly wet and needed something to keep us from getting beyond wet.

We ducked into the Yakitori House. DW had the Teriyaki Chicken - Chicken thigh served with teriyaki sauce and steamed rice. She said it was OK for fast food and filled her up for the moment. (Sorry no pic.) DS had the Teriyaki chicken with mixed veggies, steamed rice. He reluctantly ate it. It wasn't Cheese Pizza.

I had the Kaki-Age Udon - Vegetable tempura with shrimp, and udon noodles served in a clear broth with green onions. This hit the spot! I wish I took a pic.

The rain tapered off and we shopped the Japan pavilion. When we came out the Rice Paste lady (I know that isn't her name but I couldn't find her name, easily) was out. She is Amazing. I wish I would have video'd her. Incredible!

The skies cleared and we were able to take of the highly fashionable WDW rain panchos. It was warm enough that I had to get a Drink. In the France Pavilion area I got a Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush. It was good but for $9.00 you would think they would use a bigger glass. I guess that is tourist pricing.

Next stop in the France pavilion was Boulangerie Patisserie. My DW wanted a Napoleon. She said it was sooooooo good! The picture does it absolutely no Justice.

Next Up, LeCellier.

 

[DodgerMessa]

This was a hard ADR to get even at 180 day +10 and in the off season. It was incredibly worth it!

The night started with DS meeting the Canadian Santa Clause (They have a different lore/name for him, sorry can't remember it at this time.).

DS located the hidden Mickey in the wine rack.

We were seated reasonably quick. On the way in I saw what I had to have. Unfortunately it was on someone else's plate (The Steak). The server brought us the bread stick basket. It was a good variety but the most popular was the pretzel bread.

The server recommended the Le Cellier Caesar - A Canadian favourite featuring Iceberg vodka, Clamato juice, and a blend of seasonings. It tasted like a fancy Bloody Mary. I liked it.

DW had Mixed Field Greens - Served with crumbled blue cheese and white balsamic vinaigrette. She said she would give it an "A".

I had the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - Made with Moosehead Beer and Smoked Bacon. It was really good. All the hype on the Dis is correct. A definite must.

DW and I both had the New York Strip Steak - with bercy butter, balsamic red onions, watercress, and roasted Yukon potatoes. Although my wife had hers Well Done (Barbarian'ette!). I usually want to order the "different" things on the menu but when I saw this on a plate, when I walked in, I had to have it. It was GREAT! The flavors on the plate matched perfectly. The picture of this does it no Justice.

DS had,,,,,,you guessed it. Cheese Pizza. I will let your imagination fill in the details.

Dessert (DW just informed me that Dessert is spelled with 2 "s" 's, oops) was fantastic! DW had 2 Desserts. She had the Chocolate "Moose" - Chocolate Mousse rolled in Toasted Chocolate Crumbs with Maple Leaf Antlers. We both have wanted this since the first time we saw it on the Dis. It did not disappoint.

DW's 2nd Dessert was the Campfire S’mores - Chocolate Graham Crackers and Roasted Marshmallows with Vanilla Ice Cream. She shared it w/ DS. They both enjoyed it.

DS had the, you guessed it, build your own Sundae.

I had the Chocolate-on-Chocolate Whiskey Cake - Chocolate cake brushed with Canadian whiskey, layered with chocolate mousse, and finished with honey thyme anglaise. An excellent selection. Perfect flavor combination.

Next,,,,,Jiko.

 

[lichevyguy]

looks like you enjoyed all your eats , thanks for sharing , p.s. your son is no diferent from my own , pizza every day , cute

 

[debbieandroo]

Two desserts? Your DW is a woman after my own heart! I'd go restaurant hopping with her anytime....

Keep up the good work - sadly, I had to give up my Le Cellier ADR this upcoming trip but there's always next time!

 

[DodgerMessa]

looks like you enjoyed all your eats , thanks for sharing , p.s. your son is no diferent from my own , pizza every day , cute

Loved most of my eats..... I hope my son moves beyond a small selection of food. Don't get me wrong, he eats much more healthy than me and in todays heavier society I hope he stays "healthy" slim, but he is missing a lot of wonderful flavors and taste experiences.

P.S.: Nice '67 Camero in your signature. Did you restore it?

Two desserts? Your DW is a woman after my own heart! I'd go restaurant hopping with her anytime....

Keep up the good work - sadly, I had to give up my Le Cellier ADR this upcoming trip but there's always next time!

I hope you get to go to LeCellier... It was a Great Culinary experience. My wife saw those 2 deserts on the Dis and had to try them both. I needed the photo's for my Culinary students.

Thanks for viewing my posts.

 

[DodgerMessa]

We slept in this morning. DS had to finish homework and stayed up late last night. We went to DTD to eat at Earl of Sandwich to eat lunch. DS had the children's pizza sandwich (what did you expect?).

DW had the Thanksgiving Special. It had Turkey, Cranberries, Stuffing, Gravy and Herb Mayo. She said "it was FABULOUS,,, I would eat it over and over and over again."

I had the The Full Montagu - roast beef and turkey with cheddar and Swiss cheese, romaine lettuce, tomato and Earl's mustard. It was really good.

We went to Animal Kingdom and enjoyed Expedition Everest and my DW enjoyed buying out all of the Gift Shops.

We went to Jiko for Dinner. It was a great culinary experience but a poor service and atmosphere experience. We were seated in a high traffic corner that was cramped. The food was good but we don't think it was at a level that it should be listed as a Signature Level restaurant. We started the night w/ appetizers. DW had Curried Samosas - Crispy Pockets with Potato, Sweet Corn, and Peach Chutney. She liked them.

I had Fire-Roasted Mussels - Served with lamb merguez, sweet potatoes, and spiced tomato broth. I really enjoyed it. The flavors blended very well.

What was really shocking was DS was intrigued and wanted to try the dish. He ate close to half of the dish.

DS had the Pizza - Tomato and Cheese pizza. He of course liked it.

DW and I had the same Entree. Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Short Ribs - Served with crushed potatoes and onion garlic sauce. It was really good. The meat was incredibly tender.

Desert started w/ DS having the (What else?) Create your own Puzzle Sundae.

DW had Pistachio Creme Brulee - With a Chocolate Layered Bottom. She enjoyed the chocolate layer under the Creme'

I had the House-Made Meyer Lemon Curd - Served with pomegranate and blueberry compote, white chocolate biscotti, and sour cream ice cream. This was a great Dessert. Each portion had a great individual flavor and blended well with all of the other flavors.

 

[Poppinsme]

Loving your reviews! We just loved the Earl of Sandwich also.
Wish I had one now.

 

[DodgerMessa]

Loving your reviews! We just loved the Earl of Sandwich also.
Wish I had one now.

DW thinks EoS is the greatest place on the planet. She has already located one for our Las Vegas trip.! All of the quality Culinary experiences in Vegas and she is mapping out EoS,, hmmm.