Aliens, F&W waddle & food porn-Oct2014 BCV & 1st time DCL (Updated 19Apr2015)

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 3)

For the seafood course, DW had the Alaskan king salmon with charred lettuce and cauliflower. I had the Masago (little pearls of crispy rice) crusted Maine scallop with coconut curry broth. We passed on the 3rd option – Wild Turbot with toasted capers and finger limes






Another bread. I think this was an herbed brioche with herb butter




The options for the next course were Palmetto Farms quail with Asian pears, serrano ham jus (DW) and Berkshire Pork with cabbage tart and brussels sprouts (me)






And another bread. This was a multi-grain bread with salted butter.



(Continued in next post 4)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 4)

The main entrée course included Onion ash crusted Niman Ranch lamb with soubise sauce (sautéed onions that are pureed and then added to a béchamel sauce); Marcho Farms veal with peas, carrots and chanterelles; Roasted duck with fennel and leeks a l’orange; and for an extra fee – Australian kobe-style beef tenderloin with oxtail ravioli or true Japanese Kobe beef. We chose the first two.








Before the final two courses, DW opted to get decaf coffee made at the table in a Cona gravity coffee maker







I chose a Quinta do Crasto late bottled vintage Port wine



(Continued in next post 5)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 5)

For the cheese/fruit course, I had a sample of four cheeses (the names are long and hard to pronounce so I won’t bore you further) and DW had the roasted white chocolate gelato with candied fig






And for dessert, DW had the vanilla bean crème brulee and I had the Grand Marnier soufflé






The other dessert options were a Tanzanian chocolate timbale with orange scented milk chocolate gelato; pear quark mousse; caramelized banana gateau; or Hawaiian kona chocolate soufflé.

I did not list the wine pairing that accompanied each course but they included champagne, Riesling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, merlot, syrah blend, pinot noir and a Spanish numanthia to name a few.

The entire meal from start to finish took a little over 2 hours. We never felt rushed and were never left waiting for the next course. There are at least two CMs serving each table. At the end of the meal, DW was given a long stem red rose and we were given the menu with all the options for that night printed out (you didn’t think I remembered all that stuff did you?). Our first time at V&A included a banana nut bread to take home to have for breakfast but I don’t recall us receiving that extra this time. Those portions probably look small but we were both stuffed when we finished and yes, more waddling out of another restaurant. Of course the rating for V&A is

A+


As I said previously stated, V&A is not for everyone. My grandparents, DW’s father, DS1 or our DSiL would not like V&A and it would have been a complete waste of money for them to go. If you are a meat-and-potatoes only type person, it’s not for you. On the other hand, if you like to try foods you can’t pronounce, try food you would never prepare at home, are game for a unique pampered dining experience and want to expose yourself (not that kind!) to how the other half lives, then you might want to give V&A a try. DW and I like to try new places to eat. Fortunately we live close enough to New Orleans and there are literally more than a 1,000 nice places for us to sample but NONE are a AAA five diamond restaurant like V&A. We enjoyed ourselves and would not hesitate to return often…as soon as we win the lottery!

We were ready to leave. As you are leaving V&A and the Grand Floridian, the CM’s and valets do their little trick again and your vehicle is waiting for you as you walk outside. They really know how to make you feel special at the GF!

Time to head back here



and call it a night.

In the morning, we are up and out of the room before 8:00 am. We stop at an ABC liquor store to try and find the Einstök White Ale DS1 and I sampled at the beverage seminar and also the Port wine I had at V&A. We found the beer but not the port. It’s a 10-11 hour drive home for us. I didn’t mess with DW on the drive back and pull into the parking lot of the “gentlemen’s club” that is advertised on billboards along I-75 between Gainesville and Ocala like I did on our last trip just to see her expression. The ride was uneventful and with the help of a 5-hour energy drink, we made it home safe and sound. So endeth this TR.

 

[saintstickets]

On a side note, our upcoming Disney related trips (and possible TR’s)

August, 2015 – We will fly out of New Orleans to Sacramento, CA to see DS2 (this is DS1’s twin brother). After a few days with him, and a wine country tour, we will fly to Vancouver, BC on Sunday, 8/23/15. We will stay at the Shangri-La hotel in Vancouver. On Monday, 8/24/15, we will board the Disney Wonder for a 7 night cruise to Alaska. Our excursions on this trip include a whale watching tour in Juneau, in Skagway we board a helicopter to fly to a dog-sled camp near the top of the glacier and then ride on a dog-sled across the glacier and in Ketchikan we take a trip on a seaplane through the Misty Fjord National Park, land on a remote lake and then enjoy the sights on the return flight. We return to Vancouver on Monday, 8/31/15 and will spend an additional night in Vancouver to explore the town. We haven’t decide on Stanley Park, Victoria gardens (the inspiration for those gardens in EPCOT-Canada) or a trip to Grousse Mountain. We return to New Orleans on Tuesday, 9/01/15.

December, 2015 – We have reservations from 12/5-12/13/15 at BWV. It’s been 5 years since we were at WDW during Christmas so we are looking forward to this trip. In addition to MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional, we have a DISmeet planned with MEK and her husband Denny! This will be a fun trip.

April, 2016 – We have a 7 night cruise booked out of Pt Canaveral on the Disney Magic. The ports visited are Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay. Prior to the cruise we will be at the BCV for a few days during the F&G festival. Anyone that has suggestions for excursions at those ports, please let me know.

September/October/November, 2016 – We will return to WDW this fall for F&W and MNSSHP. We hope DD and DSiL can join us for this trip. It will all depend on her internship rotations during med school and when she can take off. DS1, DDiL and DS2 will also be invited so we'll see if the whole gang can make it!

We will purchase AP's prior to the Dec, 2015 trip and be able to get all 3 park visits in with those tickets!

That’s all we have penciled in for now. I hope you were entertained by the preceding TR and will join me for the upcoming ones!

 

[natebenma]

I liked your last morning activity of walking around the resort with lunch with your DW and DS at Captain's Grille. Sorry you only found it so-so.

But you more than made up for it with that spectacular dinner at V&A. I enjoyed reading about your meal with your detailed review.

Your upcoming travel plans are impressive. The excursions on the Alaskan cruise sound top-notch.

As you may suspect, I'm going to recommend snorkeling on your cruise on the Magic- probably in Grand Cayman. When we are in Mexico (the Rivera Maya, on the mainland), we really like Xplor Zip Line park, but I don't know if it is an excursion offered on that cruise itinerary.

I look forward to reading about your trips.

As for this report, once again, a fantastic recounting of your trip filled with good humor, amazing pictures and tempting food porn. Oh, and aliens!

The bad news... your trip report is over

The good news... I should be able to keep up now!

 

[saintstickets]

I liked your last morning activity of walking around the resort with lunch with your DW and DS at Captain's Grille. Sorry you only found it so-so.

This whole trip was sort of like that last morning...no rush...just a take it easy kinda trip. That's a first for me and what DW has been pushing for and it wasn't bad. Don't tell her I said that though. I'm going to tell her we are slowing down JUST FOR HER! Yup...gonna do that...uh huh! Captain's Grille was good but the lunch menu was limited. I'd eat there again in a heart beat but not to try something different unless the dinner menu is more extensive.

But you more than made up for it with that spectacular dinner at V&A. I enjoyed reading about your meal with your detailed review.

V&A is really hard to explain and even harder for someone to appreciate if they are meat-and-potatoes only eaters. Don't get me wrong. We pick vegetables each year and put them up in the freezer as well as can/jar tomatoes, relish, pickles, etc so it's not like I don't LOVE my peas and cornbread. Nothing any restaurant can offer beats a plate of butter beans, turnip greens, squash, pink-eyed purple hull peas with a big slice of cornbread and Vidalia sweet onion but we like to experiment when dining out. V&A is so far from our norm that it makes it really special for us.

Your upcoming travel plans are impressive. The excursions on the Alaskan cruise sound top-notch.

This is a trip I've been thinking about for 2 years. It's only 4 months away now and I can't wait!!

As you may suspect, I'm going to recommend snorkeling on your cruise on the Magic- probably in Grand Cayman. When we are in Mexico (the Rivera Maya, on the mainland), we really like Xplor Zip Line park, but I don't know if it is an excursion offered on that cruise itinerary.

You know me and snorkeling...maybe I should shave my 'stache for that trip and see if I can keep the mask dry this time. Thanks for the suggestions...hmmm...zip lining...my luck...big trees...does the cartoon George of the Jungle and what happens to him come to mind?!?!

I looc-k forward to reading about your trips.

As for this report, once again, a fantastic recounting of your trip filled with good humor, amazing pictures and tempting food porn. Oh, and aliens!

Why thank you ma'am. Your kind words are very much appreciated. DW and I still have fun remembering our tablemates on the cruise and his telling us about his alien encounters. It was a "Lord-get-me-out-of-here" moment at the time but funny as can be now. Our trips always have their ups and downs but we rarely let the downs ruin it for us. Go with the flow, make hay when the sun shines and when something less than great happens...get over it....it's a vacation!!!

The bad news... your trip report is over

The good news... I should be able to keep up now!

 

[khertz]

What a way to end a trip! It looks like a really fantastic meal from the pictures and descriptions. Probably a little too fancy for DH and I, but it was really interesting to read about and experience through your TR.

WOW so many trips coming up!! How exciting! I look forward to the upcoming TRs for them. Always a great read!!

 

[Stasieki]

I'm glad you are enjoying the report. Are you writing a TR? I'd love to read your thoughts and comments.


How is that for a coincidence? Dare I say it...it's a small world after all! I'm sorry...I couldn't resist!

I have never done a TR. It crosses my mind here and there, but then life gets crazy. We have a 5 and 9 year old with schedules busier than oursJ. I sure do love reading them, though! I mainly read while eating my lunch at my desk at work.

I thought the location of the room on the Dream was perfect. It was our first cruise as well. I think our head servers were the same as well. But our other server was Dewa from Bali. He was amazing – did magic tricks for our girls each night. We are a family of four and ended up having our own table. Thought that was weird as the ship seemed full. We are booked for a 2016 Fantasy sailing and have a room very close to that location.

 

[KatMark]

What a lovely end to your trip, Bill. I'm glad your waitlist went through quickly and you were able to enjoy lunch with your DS1 before he left. We had dinner at Captain's Grille and enjoyed it (it was packed and service was a little slow, but the food was good); we also had breakfast there...we were not impressed.

V&A is definitely not for Mark and I, but I certainly enjoyed seeing each course as you got it and the different breads, etc.

Lovely picture of the Beach Club at night.

If I were to go for Christmas this year, it would be during those dates you are there. But I don't see it happening.

Perhaps the September/October/November 2016 trip will finally be our chance to hook up.

 

[MEK]

How great that your waitlist came through for an extra night.

And what an amazing meal. I really wish I had eaten at V&A's when it was still on TIW. Your meal looks amazing.

We did the wine pairing at Palo and it was fabulous, but it was A LOT of wine. I'm not kidding. I was feeling NO pain that night. Our sommelier did such an amazing job of describing each wine and all I wanted to do was laugh out loud and say, "Do you think I am going to remember one thing you just said".

I am totally jealous of your Alaskan cruise. I really want to do one but I had extreme sticker price shock when I priced out a verandah room. I might just have to live vicariously through you.

I am excited about our meet. Yay. It will be time to start planning soon. Did you decide what day you are going to MVMCP. I also had sticker shock when I looked at the ticket prices. We really only have 4.5 days there before we leave for our cruise, so I'm sort of up in the air as to whether or not I want to go to the party.

You have a lot of great trips in the works.

Thanks for sharing this trip. It was fun reading along, even though I got behind at times.

 

[cstorm65]

Awesome report. Victoria and Alberts seemed like a great way to end the trip. Can't wait to hear about your other trips! Thanks for sharing.

 

[saintstickets]

What a way to end a trip! It looks like a really fantastic meal from the pictures and descriptions. Probably a little too fancy for DH and I, but it was really interesting to read about and experience through your TR.

It was a nice way to cap off the week. V&A is much nicer than any place we are familiar with and that includes the great ones there in NOLA but it's one of those things you need to try at least once.

WOW so many trips coming up!! How exciting! I look forward to the upcoming TRs for them. Always a great read!!

We gotta get as many trips as possible in on an AP! Thanks for the kind words and I still want photog lessons from your DH! Maybe I'll have to take him to a Saints game in exchange for a lesson or two!

 

[saintstickets]

I have never done a TR. It crosses my mind here and there, but then life gets crazy. We have a 5 and 9 year old with schedules busier than oursJ. I sure do love reading them, though! I mainly read while eating my lunch at my desk at work.

A TR can be fairly time consuming but it is a nice way to relive your vacation plus share your experience and tips with others. Having two young ones definitely limits your free time but if you ever decide to start one, let me know!

I thought the location of the room on the Dream was perfect. It was our first cruise as well. I think our head servers were the same as well. But our other server was Dewa from Bali. He was amazing – did magic tricks for our girls each night. We are a family of four and ended up having our own table. Thought that was weird as the ship seemed full. We are booked for a 2016 Fantasy sailing and have a room very close to that location.

Since it was our first cruise, we had no idea where to request a room but the TA we used made the suggestion and it was great! The Disney Dream CMs were absolutely the best we've ever experienced. They sure set the bar high for any future cruise!

 

[khertz]

Thanks for the kind words and I still want photog lessons from your DH! Maybe I'll have to take him to a Saints game in exchange for a lesson or two!

I'm sure he'll go for that!!

 

[saintstickets]

What a lovely end to your trip, Bill. I'm glad your waitlist went through quickly and you were able to enjoy lunch with your DS1 before he left. We had dinner at Captain's Grille and enjoyed it (it was packed and service was a little slow, but the food was good); we also had breakfast there...we were not impressed.

Captain's Grille was good and we'd eat there again if for no other reason than it's really close to where we stay. We still have LOTS of restaurants we have not tried so it won't be high on our list for a while.

V&A is definitely not for Mark and I, but I certainly enjoyed seeing each course as you got it and the different breads, etc.

V&A is a unique experience. Some love it and some say no way but that's part of what makes WDW so great because there is something for everyone!

Lovely picture of the Beach Club at night.

Thanks. The whole EPCOT resort area is really nice at night.

If I were to go for Christmas this year, it would be during those dates you are there. But I don't see it happening.

Perhaps the September/October/November 2016 trip will finally be our chance to hook up.

Awwww...I was hoping for a big DISmeet in December....maybe the fall of 2016 then?

 

[saintstickets]

How great that your waitlist came through for an extra night.

I was really surprised it did. We haven't had much luck with waitlists in the past.

And what an amazing meal. I really wish I had eaten at V&A's when it was still on TIW. Your meal looks amazing.

I don't understand why they took it off TIW. Other than QV's room and the Chef's Table, it's no more difficult to get a table in the main dining room than any of the signature restaurants so you think they'd want the extra traffic.

We did the wine pairing at Palo and it was fabulous, but it was A LOT of wine. I'm not kidding. I was feeling NO pain that night. Our sommelier did such an amazing job of describing each wine and all I wanted to do was laugh out loud and say, "Do you think I am going to remember one thing you just said".

If we didn't have short pours, I'd have been knee crawling drunk at the end of the meal!

I am totally jealous of your Alaskan cruise. I really want to do one but I had extreme sticker price shock when I priced out a verandah room. I might just have to live vicariously through you.

Well, since I live vicariously through you during your many trips to WDW, then come on in and do the same with me! We have been plotting, planning and saving this trip for two years. The short cruise we took on this TR was the final part to see if we really would like cruising or go to Alaska on a land trip. Obviously we liked the cruise so.....

I am excited about our meet. Yay. It will be time to start planning soon. Did you decide what day you are going to MVMCP. I also had sticker shock when I looked at the ticket prices. We really only have 4.5 days there before we leave for our cruise, so I'm sort of up in the air as to whether or not I want to go to the party.

We are doing MVMCP on Tuesday, 12/08/15. Which day did you want to do the Candlelight Processional dinner package?

You have a lot of great trips in the works.

As stated before, you gotta get as many trips in as possible when you get an AP!

Thanks for sharing this trip. It was fun reading along, even though I got behind at times.

Thanks for joining in! As you know, a TR is a labor of love so I'm glad when friends follow along and share in the journey!

 

[saintstickets]

Awesome report. Victoria and Alberts seemed like a great way to end the trip. Can't wait to hear about your other trips! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much! V&A did cap off the trip right nicely if I do say so myself!

 

[MEK]

We are doing MVMCP on Tuesday, 12/08/15. Which day did you want to do the Candlelight Processional dinner package?

We are going to head to Miami on 12/8. I am afraid to wait until morning. Not because I want to be the first one on the ship. I actually liked getting there late in October, but more because knowing us we will get lost and cut it too close. I think the only other dates we could do MVMCP don't have a discount.

So, bottom line - I'm OK with any night for CP - but how about Monday? I think that would be nice to do before we take off for points south.

 

[saintstickets]

We are going to head to Miami on 12/8. I am afraid to wait until morning. Not because I want to be the first one on the ship. I actually liked getting there late in October, but more because knowing us we will get lost and cut it too close. I think the only other dates we could do MVMCP don't have a discount.

So, bottom line - I'm OK with any night for CP - but how about Monday? I think that would be nice to do before we take off for points south.

Either Sunday 12/06 or Monday 12/07 will be fine with us for CP. We won't know who the narrators are until much later so pick a night and let's go for it!

 

[MEK]

Either Sunday 12/06 or Monday 12/07 will be fine with us for CP. We won't know who the narrators are until much later so pick a night and let's go for it!

I'm going to go with Monday on the rare chance that I change my mind and decided to go to MVMCP. I know there's a party on Sunday. And you never know - I may decide I just can't miss it.

I hope Sunday and Monday have the same host. That would stink if the better narrator is on Sunday. Well, actually I probably won't book the party for awhile, IF I do decide to do it.

So the next question is - WHERE DO WE WANT TO EAT FOR DINNER?